Arka Mukhopadhyay
Written and directed by Robin Bissell from the non-fiction book titled ‘The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South’ by Osha Gray Davidson, the political drama film ‘The Best of Enemies’ is a compelling and moving story of how a community comes together in trying times. Unfolding in 1970s Durham in North Carolina, the film chronicles the history of desegregation through an unlikely enmity turned friendship between civil rights activist Ann Atwater and KKK member turned civil rights activist C. P. Ellis.
When a local school is torched, civil unrest follows, and the racial conflict comes to a boiling point. After a rough start, the two protagonists strike a bond of mutual respect and fight against the hateful KKK members. Now, making a period piece is fairly difficult because the locations have to emanate the era feel. If you seek to identify the locations where the film was shot, let us be your guide.
The Best of Enemies Filming Locations
‘The Best of Enemies’ was filmed in its entirety in the US, especially in the state of Georgia. The production commenced on May 22, 2017, and wrapped up in a few months. The story of the film unfolds in Durham in the 1970s. However, the director and his scouting team did not find an ideal environment in Durham to perform filming. Therefore, they chose to film in the more accessible production location of Georgia.
Touted as “Hollywood of the South,” Georgia proves to be a fertile ground for many films and TV production. Apart from scenic countryside, beautiful architecture, and a rich repository of historical heritage, the elaborate tax credit program promoted by the state government to aid filming in the state is the reason why more and more directors choose the southeastern state as a backdrop to tell their stories. Let us now take you to the specific locations where the film was shot!
Macon, Georgia
Almost all of the film was shot in and around Georgia, which doubled as North Carolina in the movie. In their journey, the production team visited the small Georgian township of Macon, a town known for its cultural diversity and historical importance. The protest sequences were filmed at the landmark location of Macon City Hall. Officially known as Macon-Bibb County Government Center, the administrative building is located at 700 Poplar Street in downtown Macon, just across from the Macon City Auditorium. In June 2017, a few streets in the vicinity were shut down for the purpose of filming.
Atlanta, Georgia
Although the filming crew moved around quite a bit in the state, the capital city of Georgia – Atlanta – presumably served as a production hub. A major chunk of the film was captured with Atlanta as the backdrop.
A portion of filming was carried out in the southern side of the city, as well as in East Atlanta, where they found several period-appropriate homes. Some of the scenes were filmed in the adjacent suburban city of College Park, located at a pebble’s distance from Atlanta International Airport.
Cartersville, Georgia
Some important sequences of the film were recorded in Cartersville, a city located in the Bartow County of Georgia. A few sequences were filmed at Ross’s Diner, a small eatery situated at 17 North Wall Street in Cartersville. Some scenes were filmed at the historical redbrick building of Bartow Country Courthouse. Located at 135 West Cherokee Avenue in the town, the beauteous building flaunts Neoclassical architecture.
Tucker, Georgia
Additionally, a few scenes were filmed in the Georgian city of Tucker. The production unit visited the American Legion Post 207, a nonprofit organization situated at 4127 Pine Valley Road in the area. After a devastating fire in 2019, the location has been permanently closed.
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