Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Garrett Hedlund | ... | Mike Burden | |
Andrea Riseborough | ... | Judy | |
Forest Whitaker | ... | Reverend Kennedy | |
Tom Wilkinson | ... | Tom Griffin | |
Usher | ... | Clarence Brooks (as Usher Raymond IV) | |
Crystal Fox | ... | Janice Kennedy | |
Austin Hébert | ... | Clint (as Austin Hebert) | |
Dexter Darden | ... | Kelvin Kennedy | |
Taylor Gregory | ... | Franklin | |
Tia Hendricks | ... | Toosie Brooks | |
Devin Bright | ... | Duane Brooks | |
Joshua Burge | ... | Ronny | |
Tess Harper | ... | Hazel Griffin | |
Anna Colwell | ... | Molly | |
Bryan Hibbard | ... | Gus |
When a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan opens in a small South Carolina town, the idealistic Reverend Kennedy resolves to do everything in his power to prevent racial tensions from boiling over. But the members of Kennedy's congregation are shocked to discover that his plan includes sheltering Mike Burden, a Klansman whose relationships with both a single-mother and a high-school friend force him to re-examine his long-held beliefs. After Kennedy helps Mike leave behind his violent past, the Baptist preacher finds himself on a collision course with manipulative KKK leader Tom Griffin. In the face of grave threats to himself and his family, the resolute Kennedy bravely pursues a path toward peace, setting aside his own misgivings in the hopes of healing his wounded community.
I saw this film at the 1918 Traverse City Film Festival. I am so glad it is finally being released, even if not very widely. "Burden" was moving and suspenseful - all the more because the events depicted are pretty close to the actual events. And it had people of color taking charge of the situation and displaying the courageous love of Christ - no rescue by a white liberal from the North.
Whitaker was remarkable, as was Garrett Hedlund as Burden, Andrea Riseborough as his partner and Tom Wilkinson (always wonderful) as the hate-filled leader of the local Klan. Hopefully it will be released on streaming so many people can see it as it appears it will have a limited release in theaters. It is also a shame it is rated "R" for language and some violence, as it is a film all young people would benefit from seeing.