Go See This: The Problem of the Hero and Forbidden Fruit Film Screenings

James Vose is a local business owner, US Army Veteran, and father. He currently serves as a Pittsboro Town Commissioner and is committed to generating a vibrant cultural community through projects like our Go See This series. Vose Natural Stone is proud to be our 2024-2025 sponsor, and we are delighted to present the first article of the season. We invite you to Go See This…

If you’re in the mood for a thought-provoking cinematic experience, be sure to catch the screening of The Problem of the Hero and Forbidden Fruit this September 28 at 11:00 AM. at Pittsboro United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center. This pairing showcases a bevy of local talent (especially Chatham artists) and offers audiences a chance to explore North Carolina history through film. Tickets are just $10 and all proceeds are in support of the Community Remembrance Coalition Chatham (CRC-C) and furthering their mission of truth, justice, and reconciliation across racial divides. Following the showing, a talkback panel will invite the audience to join in on the conversation, making it more than just a screening—it’s a community dialogue!

The first film, The Problem with the Hero by EbzB Productions, dives into the complex friendship between Richard Wright, author of Native Son, and North Carolina playwright Paul Green. Set during the pair’s collaboration on the play adaptation of Native Son for the Broadway stage, the film examines how their differing views on race and social justice ultimately led to the dissolution of their partnership. Executive Producer and actor David zum Brunnen was excited by the opportunity to highlight this moment in North Carolina history: “While The Problem of the Hero does fictionalize some of the conversations (they simply cannot be known), the film is about true to life events, based on certain documentation and research that we were able to access.” After successful showings at The Santa Fe Film Festival, Naples International Film Festival, RiverRun International Film Festival, and Longleaf Film Festival among others, The Problem of the Hero is finally coming home to Chatham County.

Storytelling, through film and other media, is one of many ways to reconcile with gaps in understanding. The original version of the play that was performed on Broadway so many years ago is now lost to history. No one, neither the Wright family nor the Paul Green Foundation, seems to be able to locate that particular script in the archives. While the official published version is still available to read, questions remain. What was in that original script? What happened behind closed doors to cause a rift in this partnership? These are just a few of the questions that may be answered during the talkback panel following the screening, where creators will dive deeper into the film’s history and making.

Locals who attend the screening may recognize the multi-talented Derrick Ivey portraying several roles throughout the film. Several members of the creative team plan to be in attendance at the event, including fellow Executive Producer and playwright Serena Ebhardt, screenwriter Ian Finley, and actor J. Mardrice Henderson, who plays Richard Wright.

The second film (which will actually screen first), Forbidden Fruit, is a short directed by UNCW film school graduate Isaiah Forte-Rose. It tells the story of a young African American boy who faces food insecurity and personal challenges while his mother works. Left to his own devices, the pre-teen must fight through his own battles living in a food desert, juggling adult responsibilities while still a child. Forte-Rose, who has roots in both Durham and Chatham County, brings a personal lens to the film’s themes. Both films complement each other in their focus on social issues, making this a powerful double feature that speaks to the struggles of the past and present. 

“The Problem of the Hero”, says Zum Brunnen, “is a film about a friendship. But through that friendship, they contend with issues that resonate today, such as socioeconomic, racial, and political differences. I think that’s what people will find so intriguing. I think both of these films engage quite well with these topics, and that’s why they make such a good pairing.”

This event is not just about watching movies—it’s about engaging with the important issues they raise. Go see this double feature for a unique opportunity to explore North Carolina’s history, culture, and ongoing social conversations through the lens of talented local artists. (Of note: EbzB Productions, a long-time partner of the Artist-in-Schools (AIS) program, will return for a residency at Pittsboro Elementary this year, continuing their decade-long commitment to transformative storytelling.) Don’t miss your chance to be part of these conversations this September 28. Come take a seat, stay for the talkback, and support local filmmaking and the arts in Chatham County.

• • The Short Version
  • Who: EbzB Productions and others
  • What: Film screening of The Problem of the Hero and Forbidden Fruit
  • When: 11:00 a.m. on September 28, 2024 (total runtime ~2hrs)
  • Where: Pittsboro United Methodist Church Family Life Center; 71 West Street, Pittsboro
  • Cost: $10 ticket at the door (cash or credit/debit, proceeds go to support CRC-C)
  • Parking: Parking available
  • Accessibility: Yes

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