"The Best of Enemies," a new film from STX Entertainment and director Robin Bissell, tells the true story of civil rights activist Ann Atwater and her unlikely relationship with C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. After some convincing, Ellis co-chaired a community summit with Atwater on the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina during the summer of 1971.
In a new featured clip, "The Best of Enemies - Make a Connection Special Behind-the-Scenes," Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson (Atwater) and Academy Award-winner Sam Rockwell (Ellis) chat about their roles in the film and how their characters evolved to the point where they could call each other friends.
The feature includes video footage of the actual Atwater and Ellis. The two explain, for instance, how they initially couldn't stand each other. But, they soon "learned to talk about what was on their heart," according to Ellis. Atwater said they had to overcome their differences and speak up for their children, "because nobody else would."
As Rockwell notes, the two "become friends eventually."
"This really happened and it's beautiful to watch," Henson says. "At the end of the day, the message is love always wins."
