Burden debuted on the big screen two years ago at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and despite being officially released in a new decade, its message is still as timely as ever.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Robbie Brenner (Dallas Buyers Club) and writer/director Andrew Heckler’s Southern drama tells the incredible true story of an ex-Klansman who, with the influence of his girlfriend and the town’s local reverend, is forced to overcome his own racism and face his disgraceful past. It can be argued that everyone deserves a second chance, including those who we may not think deserve it, and Burden is a testament to the belief that people can change when surrounded by unconditional love.
It’s 1996 and a motley crew of people are preparing to open a new tourist attraction in their rural South Carolina town; curated and operated by Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson), the revealing of this “Redneck KKK Museum” hits like a punch to the gut. Racism still operates throughout the bigoted town, with Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund) at the forefront of the organization’s next-generation leaders. The brotherhood of the KKK had been his whole life, so the last thing he expected was to fall in love with Judy (Andrea Riseborough), a young mother, who would force him to choose between his relationship with the Klan or her heart.
As Mike struggles with this decision internally, on the surface he is still very combative. His behavior catches the attention of Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker), who sees Mike as a lost boy and is determined to help him work through his destructive past. Reverend Kennedy reminds his skeptical congregation that only love can drive out hate, a nice message in theory, but difficult to put into practice when the person you are asked to unconditionally love has threatened to kill your community. Reverend Kennedy’s words ruminate within Mike, who slowly begins to let his guard down in order to let the light, and love, in.
A hard-hitting companion piece to another recent Neo-Nazi true-life adaptation, Skin, Burden is a fascinating retelling of Michael Burden’s life. Fueled by a powerhouse performance from Garrett Hedlund, he seamlessly embodies the quirky mannerisms and Southern drawl of the real Mr. Burden. He’s a character whose philosophy we can’t understand yet still sympathize with his struggle to leave the familiar for the unknown. Andrea Riseborough brings compassion to her confident portrayal of Judy, a strong woman whose sense of justice and self-respect ultimately saved Mike Burden’s life. Unsurprisingly, Forest Whitaker commands every scene; his delivery of Reverend Kennedy’s words of optimism is both inspiring and soul-shaking. Usher also makes an appearance as Mike’s childhood best friend, a fun addition to a solid cast. Usher also makes an appearance as Mike’s childhood best friend, a fun addition to a solid cast.
Ultimately, the story of Burden is one of redemption, of forgiveness, and the power of unconditional love.
BURDEN (2020)
Starring Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker, Tom Wilkinson, Andrea Riseborough
Directed by Andrew Heckler
Written by Andrew Heckler
Distributed by 101 Studios. 129 minutes. Opening this Friday in select theaters, including ArcLight Hollywood and AMC Century City.
