With Sundance wrapping up, we’ve seen quite a few films that will likely make big waves later this year when they’re released to the general public. As is the case with many of these festival films, they normally have a bit of a waiting period from the time they premiere to when they’ll arrive at your multiplex (or streaming service). But not many wait as long as the upcoming drama “Burden,” which had its world premiere at Sundance in 2018.
But now that the film has distribution and will arrive in theaters later next month, there’s yet another trailer for “Burden.” The film is best described as a drama focused on racism in South Carolina, as a Reverend decides to take a former KKK member under his wing to ensure that the young man’s family is safe from his former friends that now want to do him harm.
The film stars Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker, Tom Wilkinson, Andrea Riseborough, Tess Harper, Crystal Fox, and Usher. “Burden” marks the debut of writer-director Andrew Heckler, who previously was best known as an actor.
“Burden” arrives in theaters on February 28.
Here’s the synopsis:
When a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan opens in a small South Carolina town, the idealistic Reverend Kennedy (Academy Award®-winner Forest Whitaker) resolves to do everything in his power to prevent long-simmering racial tensions from boiling over. But the members of Kennedy’s congregation are shocked to discover that his plan includes sheltering Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund), a Klansman whose relationships with both a single-mother (Andrea Riseborough) and a high-school friend (Usher Raymond) 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 (Tom Wilkinson). 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. From Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Robbie Brenner (Dallas Buyers Club) and writer/director Andrew Heckler comes this dramatic true story of compassion and grace in the American South.
