An unlikely friendship /
An Unlikely Friendship is a film about a surprising friendship which emerged between an embittered Ku Klux Klan leader and an outspoken black woman activist. Told in their own words, this compelling story is as sincere and down-home as the protagonists. In the early 1970 s, when Durham, North Caroli...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Video |
| Language: | English |
| Language Notes: | English. |
| Published: |
New York, NY :
Filmakers Library,
2002.
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| Series: | Filmakers Library online.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to this streaming video (Alexander Street Press) |
| Summary: | An Unlikely Friendship is a film about a surprising friendship which emerged between an embittered Ku Klux Klan leader and an outspoken black woman activist. Told in their own words, this compelling story is as sincere and down-home as the protagonists. In the early 1970 s, when Durham, North Carolina was experiencing acrimonious racial tensions, Ann Atwater, a poor welfare mother and CP Ellis, the Exalted Grand Cyclops of the Durham Ku Klux Klan were on opposite sides of the public school integration debate. They were appointed to co-chair a community committee to resolve problems arising from a court-ordered school desegregation. Initially, their relationship was fraught with distrust and hatred. By getting to know each other as they worked together, they formed a deep and loving friendship which changed race relations and shocked Durham's residents. On the final night of the ten-day community meeting, in front of one thousand people, including his fellow Klansmen, CP Ellis tore up his Klan card. The change came with a heavy price: Ellis became an outcast among his former friends who have not forgiven him to this day. The stories told by CP and Ann are comic and poignant. These two very different people finding common ground and overcoming their hatred for each other provide a helpful and hopeful model for us all. |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (45 min.) |
| Audience: | For High School; College; Adult audiences. |
| Awards: | National Women's Studies Association, 2003 The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, 2002 Vancouver Island Independent Film, Video and New Media Festival, 2002 Vermont International Film Festival, 2002 |