The Problem of the Hero

2023 film directed by Shaun Dozier

The Problem of the Hero

The Problem of the Hero Official Cinema Poster

Directed by| Shaun Dozier
Written by| James A. Hodge
Ian Finley
Produced by| Ayana Johnson
Starring| J. Mardrice Henderson, David zum Brunnen
Cinematography| Steve Milligan
Edited by| Shaun Dozier
Music by| Lenora Zenzalai Helm
Fred Story

Production
company

EbzB Productions/WhyNot Theatricals

Distributed by| Buffalo8

Release dates

* February 17, 2023 (2023-02-17) (Santa Fe Film Festival)
* March 28, 2025 (2025-03-28)

Running time

| 85 minutes
Country| United States
Language| English
Budget| $248,000

The Problem of the Hero is a 2023 American drama film directed by Shaun Dozier.[1] The film centers on the true-to-life collaboration of two twentieth-century literary greats, novelist Richard Wright & playwright Paul Green, as they face a spirited confrontation over race, class, politics, social justice and agency.[2]

## Synopsis

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Set in pre-World War II New York City and North Carolina, a growing friendship that has developed between famed author, Richard Wright, and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Paul Green, may be pulled apart. As they partner to adapt Wright's new best-selling book, Native Son, into a Broadway play, and rehearsals continue around them, a disagreement between the two emerges over a single page of the script - just as opening night is approaching in March, 1941. What unfolds is a conflict that deepens into questions about race, class, politics, and personal agency - matters profoundly important to each man.

## Cast

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* J. Mardrice Henderson as Richard Wright
* David zum Brunnen as Paul Green
* Derrick Ivey as Ray Collins
* Brandon Haynes as Canada Lee
* Josephine Hall as Nell Harrison
* Charlie Cannon as Orson Welles
* Alexa Yeames as Jean Rosenthal
* Annie McElroy as Anne Burr
* Lex Wilson as Walter Ash

## Release

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The Problem of the Hero had its film festival premiere at the Santa Fe Film Festival in 2023.[3] The Problem of the Hero was officially released by Buffalo8 in March 2025.[4]

## Critical reception

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The Problem of the Hero received positive critical reception. It holds a 100% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on eight reviews.[5] Reviewing for Film Threat, Benjamin Franz, called the film "a passionate, blazing, and deeply enticing human drama."[2] In a review for Film Obsessive, J Paul Johnson praised the film for examining "a pivotal moment in American literature and theater with a well-researched script and well rehearsed cast".[6]

## References

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1. ^ Morgan Rojas (June 22, 2023). "The Problem of the Hero". Cinemacy. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
2. ^ a b Benjamin Franz (June 17, 2023). "The Problem of the Hero". Film Threat. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
3. ^ Nick Catlin, "Guide to the 2023 Santa Fe Film Festival". KOAT-TV, February 17, 2023.
4. ^ "The Problem of the Hero". Buffalo 8. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
5. ^ "The Problem of the Hero" - via www.rottentomatoes.com.
6. ^ J. Paul Johnson (October 26, 2023). "The Problem of the Hero Takes on Richard Wright's Native Son". Film Obsessive. Retrieved November 20, 2023.

## External links

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* Official website
* The Problem of the Hero at IMDb
* The problem of the Hero at Rotten Tomatoes