BURDEN

US, 2019, 117 minutes, Colour.
Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker, Andrea Riseborough, Tom Wilkinson, Tess Harper, Crystal Fox, Usher Raymond.
Directed by Andrew Heckler.

The setting for this film is 1996, a small town in South Carolina. The film was produced in 2018 but had limited release – unfortunately. In the context of the upheaval in the United States with the death of George Floyd, the brutality of the police in Minneapolis, the consequent protest and riots throughout the United States – and protest beyond, mean that Burden’s release at this time is more than topical, extremely challenging.

The film is based on actual events. The main characters involved collaborated with the making of the film – even seeing it as an appeal for collaboration and contribution to in New Beginnings Ministry in the Laurens County.

For the outsider to the United States, it is something of a surprise to find that in 1996, citizens of this town are active members, proud members of the Ku Klux Klan. And, they are refurbishing an old cinema to become the Redneck Ku Klux Klan Museum, replete with all kinds of robes, instruments, weapons and Klan activity memorabilia.

At the centre of the demolition and rebuilding is a rather serious young man, not the brightest, past Army service and wounds, brought up in this town by a demanding father, expected to be a member of the Klan, participate in the activities, believe religiously, quoting the Scriptures and God’s will asserting the supremacy of the white race, despising the blacks, automatically using the derogatory “nigger�. And, there have been lynchings in the recent past, especially the uncle of the local Baptist pastor.

We might wonder where this is all leading. Much of the early part of the film shows the clan members, led by the local owner of a repossession business, Tom Griffin, played by British actor, Tom Wilkinson. He sees the young man, whose name is Michael Burden, as a surrogate son.

As the screenplay develops, it is comparatively low key, a small-town story, focusing on persons, personal relationships.

Michael encounters a young single mother, Judy (British actress Andrea Riseborough), with a son. Michael is attracted, setting up an emotional conflict as well as a conflict of loyalties to the Klan, to Judy and the care of her son. As the museum opens, the Minister, David Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) and the black citizens demonstrate outside, chanting, singing. While some of the young men of the town are eager to protest, the resort to violence, the Reverend Kennedy is very strong on non-violence and peace. At one stage, Tom Griffin urges Michael to go on to the roof of a store and shoot the Reverend Kennedy.

Garrett Hedlund’s performance as Michael Burden is well worth seeing, a nuanced performance.

There are some examples of outbreaks of violence, but the emphasis of this story is on redemption, the power of love, acknowledgement and confession, atonement, reconciliation. It is a challenge to Reverend Kennedy’s family, helping Michael in his dilemma, giving refuge to Judy and her son, practising what he preaches.

So, in fact, this is a faith film, an inspirational film, with pictures of Michael Burden and David Kennedy interspersed amongst the final credits.

This is a challenge reminder of deep-seated prejudices, extreme racism endorsed by an exclusivist interpretation of Christianity, the conflict between the supremacist theology and the Christian gospel of love and forgiveness.


1. The title? Literal meaning? Mike Burden? His being unburdened?

2. Based on a true story, the 1996 setting, South Carolina, its traditions, the white community, the black community, Ku Klux Klan and traditions, religious dimensions, interpretations of Scripture? Race and protest? The musical score? Songs? Hymns?

3. The film emerging as a faith film, the portrait of David Kennedy, of Mike Burden, of their interactions, collaboration? Images of church, prayer, Kennedy’s sermons, his gospel principles – in contrast with the scriptural supremacist and superiority interpretations about race?

4. The US and the traditions of the Ku Klux Klan, its history, ideology, violence, lynching, superiority, supremacist behaviour? Religious dimensions? Continued power in 1996?

5. Mike Burden story, Garrett Hedlund and his performance, his recounting his story, his treatment by his father, confronting the deer, inability to kill it, his father’s rebuke about not being manly? The Klan and his being brainwashed? The cult atmosphere of the Ku Klux Klan? His military service, his injuries, return home? The poor American male at the end of the 20th century? His age, life, not so bright, the domination of Tom Griffin, his friends and their behaviour, the demolishing of the cinema, the building of the Museum, his work in repossessing, the various pleas of those losing their possessions? His just doing his job? The interaction with Clarence, memories from school?

6. Tom Griffin, patriarchal, father figure for Mike, leading the Ku Klux Klan, his influence, conversations, home, the young men, the refurbishment of the cinema? The Redneck Ku Klux Klan Museum? The building, on the street, the extent of its contents, the opening? Loyalties to him? Hazel and her enthusiastic endorsement of the Museum, her pride?

7. Mike, the encounter with Judy, her work at the shop, the racial dispute and her stance? Single mother, love for Franklin? Clarence’s son and their playing together? Meeting Mike, the attraction, the dates, the two boys playing together, Mike taking them fishing, unsettling his prejudices?

8. David Kennedy, age and experience, influence in the town, in the American South? His faith, prayer, his gospel principles, nonviolence? His wife, the son at home? In the church, preaching? The scenes of prayer? Leading the protest? The meetings, the young men and their wanting action? The effect of the protests? The continuing effort? The violent responses?

9. The antagonism towards him, Tom Griffin wanting Mike to shoot him, Mike going on the roof, unable to shoot?

10. Mike, his change, hidebound and the difficulties in changing his attitudes? The influence of duty? His moving away from Tom Griffin, poverty, ousted from jobs, from homes, not able to get a job?

11. Kennedy taking in Mike after his begging on the street? His wife’s reaction, his sons, giving them the room?

12. Getting a new job, mixing with the workers, the effect, his suspicions, jealousy and the remarks about Judy, his fighting back, being called boy? Being fired?

13. His being challenged, by Judy, by himself, and the criticisms by Tom Griffin? The importance of the friendship with Clarence, with his son, solidarity?

14. His decision, talking with David Kennedy, changing his life, the need for confessing, the experience of baptism? Atonement? Judy and Franklin present to the baptism?

15. The final credits, the photos, the continued life story, Kennedy and Mike Burden working together, in the town, against the Museum? A faith film?