Taraji P. Henson
Ann Atwater
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The Best of Enemies is a 2019 American drama film directed and written by Robin Bissell in his feature debut. It is based on the book The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South by Osha Gray Davidson, which focuses on the rivalry between civil rights activist Ann Atwater and Ku Klux Klan leader C. P. Ellis.
Apr 5, 2019 · A film based on a true story of Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a KKK leader, who clash and cooperate over school integration in 1971 Durham, North Carolina. See cast, crew, reviews, trivia, awards, and more on IMDb.
- (20K)
- Biography, Drama, History
- Robin Bissell
- 2019-04-05
- Did Ann Atwater's Husband Leave Her to Raise Their Children Alone?
- Did C.P. Ellis Really Operate A Gas Station?
- Did Ann Atwater Intend to Stab C.P. Ellis with A Knife?
- When Did Ann Atwater Become Involved in The Desegregation of Schools?
- Did C.P. Ellis Have A Son with An Intellectual Disability?
- Were They Both Initially Resistant to The Idea of Integrating The Schools?
- Did C.P. Ellis Really Tear Up His KKK Membership Card?
- Did Ann Atwater Receive Flak For Working with C.P. Ellis?
- Did Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis Remain Friends?
- Did God Play An Important Part in The Life of The Real Ann Atwater?
Yes. The Best of Enemiestrue story reveals that Ann Atwater got married at the age of 14 and moved to Durham, NC in 1953. Ann's dad had encouraged her baby's father to marry her. However, her husband soon left her, and she was faced with raising their two children on her own.
Yes. In researching The Best of Enemies' historical accuracy, we learned that C.P. Ellis was the son of a millworker and was raised in poverty. As an adult, he worked as a service station attendant before saving up enough money to buy a small service station in a factory town. He struggled to make ends meet and provide for his family.
"This particular night C.P. was up raging and ranting, that's when I wanted to cut his head off. ... I pulled out, I had a little small knife, pocket knife." A friend talked her out of trying to stab C.P., telling her, "That's what they want you to do." -An Unlikely Friendship Documentary
A fact-check of The Best of Enemiesconfirms that Atwater became involved in school desegregation in 1971 when she was asked to co-chair a special initiative to address the matter, which is when we catch up with her in the movie. The other co-chair was C.P. Ellis (portrayed by Sam Rockwell).
Yes. C.P. Ellis and his wife Mary had a son who they called Punkin'. He was blind, deaf, and suffered from an intellectual disability. They raised him until approximately age 11, when he was placed in an institution. -The Best of Enemies book
Yes. "He didn't want [integration]," said Atwater of C.P. Ellis, "and I particularly didn't want it at the time, but then I knew we were going to have to be at one school and the children had to get the best education they could. I know if we weren't gonna look after our children, nobody else would. ... He was upset and I was upset, and he was cuss...
Yes. Following his nearly two-week long meeting with Ann Atwater, C.P. Ellis quit the KKK. Like in The Best of Enemies movie, examining the fact vs. fiction reveals that he did tear up his KKK membership card in public. His action resulted in death threats and he was shunned by a significant portion of his community. "I never did go back to the Kla...
Yes. In examining The Best of Enemies' historical accuracy, we learned that Ann Atwater was ridiculed by some in her community over the fact that she had worked with C.P. Ellis. "They said I sold out because I worked with a Klansman," recalled Atwater. "He changed from a Klansman to a Christian, and they said I had sold out, that he was a n**ger lo...
Yes. Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis formed a lifelong friendship. "We've made it through these years, together 30 years, and we're still friends," Ann said in the documentary. Ann actually gave Ellis' eulogy when he passed away. Ann's granddaughter says that she's always viewed C.P. Ellis like an uncle and still keeps in touch with his family.
Yes. The Best of Enemies fact-check revealed that Ann credited God with giving her the strength to help so many people. "I just lend whatever God gives me to give out. ... I feel that when somebody calls me for some help, God wants me to go on record sayin' I tried. All I had was God holding my back and that's it. ... He still got my back and He al...
“The Best of Enemies” is about outspoken Black activist Ann Atwater ( Taraji P. Henson) clashing over school integration with C.P. Ellis ( Sam Rockwell ), the Exalted Cyclops of the North Carolina Branch of the Ku Klux Klan.
Apr 5, 2019 · During the racially charged summer of 1971, Atwater and Ellis come together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, N.C. The ensuing debate and battle soon lead ...
- (83)
- Robin Bissell
- PG-13
- Taraji P. Henson
Oct 11, 2018 · THE BEST OF ENEMIES is a timely drama starring Academy Award® nominee Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures) and Academy Award® winner Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards...
- 3 min
- 3.1M
- STXfilms
A drama based on a true story of a black activist and a white segregationist who worked together to improve public schools in the South. See the full list of actors, directors, writers, producers, and other crew members on IMDb.
