Director Robin Bissell discusses The Best of Enemies

April 21, 2019

A DGA Q&A in Los Angeles

A civil rights activist and a local Ku Klux Klan leader forge an unlikely relationship in Director Robin Bissell’s new historical drama, The Best of Enemies.

Bissell’s film tells the true story of how civil rights activist Ann Atwater and Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan C.P. Ellis came together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina during the racially-charged summer of 1971, and how the events that unfolded would change their lives forever.

Following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles on April 21, Bissell sat down with Director Hart Bochner (NCIS: New Orleans) to discuss the making of The Best of Enemies.

The Best of Enemies is Bissell’s feature directorial debut. He has been a DGA member since 2017.

You can listen to Bissell's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find more DGA podcast episodes here.

Pictures

Event photos by Elisa Haber - Print courtesy of STX Films.

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Director Robin Bissell speaks about the making of his new historical drama, The Best of Enemies, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Taraji P. Henson as Ann Atwater and Sam Rockwell as C.P. Ellis in Director Robin Bissell’s The Best of Enemies.

Director Robin Bissell speaks about the making of The Best of Enemies with Director Hart Bochner (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Sam Rockwell as C.P. Ellis in Director Robin Bissell’s The Best of Enemies.

Director Hart Bochner (moderator) asks Director Robin Bissell a question about the making of Bissell’s new historical drama, The Best of Enemies, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Taraji P. Henson as Ann Atwater in Director Robin Bissell’s The Best of Enemies.

Directors Robin Bissell and Hart Bochner (moderator) pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Bissell’s new historical drama, The Best of Enemies.

Sam Rockwell as C.P. Ellis and Taraji P. Henson as Ann Atwater in Director Robin Bissell’s The Best of Enemies.

Director Robin Bissell chats with a member of the audience following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of his new historical drama, The Best of Enemies.

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7/24/2025 - 7/30/2025