Oscar-nominated actress Taraji. P. Henson stars as Ann Atwater in the forthcoming film The Best of Enemies. Atwater was a mother turned Civil Rights activist in Durham, North Carolina who took on C.P. Ellis, a leader of local Ku Klux Klan to desegregate schools in the area. As a result, the two formed an unlikely friendship with Ellis reportedly changing his views.
Directed by Robin Bissell, the trailer for the film hit the Internet Saturday (March 2) and fresh off the frustration over Green Book’s Best Picture win at the 2019 Oscars, some weren’t too excited about the project.
Another white savior flick. Damn even a Klansman eventually found some sort of sympathy for the helpless negroes and had to step in and help through God’s good mercy?
I’m cool on this one!! #ADOS
— Michael Mitchell (@Changenarrradio) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/youngsinick/status/1101938544539512833
Many expressed frustration over Hollywood’s obsession with a white savior complex in which a black lead, does the arduous work of fighting battles, both emotionally and physically, to bring about change only for a white man or woman to be awarded a medal of honor.
I hate these … “I made friends with a white man so now racism doesn’t exist” movies.
— Openly Black (@ScottieBeam) March 3, 2019
Also, Ann Atwater was a fat, dark-skinned Black woman. Taraji P. Henson is……not. Typical. pic.twitter.com/lrh4TcRYjR
— Why. (@theKelizabeth82) March 3, 2019
However, there are some who despite the trailer are still fans of the Empire actress and are still planning on seeing the film.
https://twitter.com/_noelove/status/1102243994472333312
https://twitter.com/antwann4real/status/1102241331189964801
https://twitter.com/AkqyaAmore/status/1102198672375320576
So what say you? Will you see the movie that is reportedly based on historical facts, or are you going to pass? Sound off in the comments below.
The Best of Enemies rolls into theaters Apri 5.
In the meantime, learn about the real Ann Atwater below.