Burden- A Story of Redemption
‘Burden’ tells the true story of Michael “Mike” Burden(Garrett Hedlund), an ardent young member of the South Carolina Ku Klux Klan who rose to the rank of Grand Dragon. He left it all behind however with the help of a new love and an unlikely ally, the African American religious leader and social activist Reverend David Kennedy (Forest Whitaker).
Mike Burden, who was rejected by his own racist family and raised by Klan leader Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson), becomes a pillar of the KKK and proponent of the divisive Redneck Shop, a Klan memorabilia store. Then, Mike meets and falls in love with Judy Harbeson (Andrea Risborough), a single mother deeply opposed to the Klan and to Mike’s allegiance to the group. Under her influence, he leaves the Klan, and the only family he has ever known. In turn, he is taken in by former mortal enemy Reverend Kennedy. Together, they face down irate and vengeful Klan members and win over Reverend Kennedy’s skeptical parishioners.
The movie stars Garrett Hedlund, Forrest Whittaker, Andrea Riseborough, Tom Wilkinson, Tess Harper, and Usher. ‘Burden’ was directed and written by Andrew Heckler, and produced by Robbie Brenner and Bill Kenwright. ‘Burden’ will release to select theaters on February 28, 2020.