“A passionate, blazing, and deeply enticing human drama."
-FilmThreat
EbzB Productions is excited to announce the release dates for its critically acclaimed film, The Problem of the Hero now distributed by Buffalo8 Distribution and made available on multiple streaming platforms this spring. This powerful cinematic work will be accessible to audiences worldwide on AppleTV, Amazon, and Google Play, among other platforms.
SeeTheThe Full Announcement Here
Available in the U.S.. North America, and regions worldwide, spanning the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Problem Of The Hero
March, 1941, the St. James Theatre in New York. On the eve of opening night, a difference of opinion over a single page of the script threatens an impasse between two literary giants of the 20th Century. As rehearsal continues around Richard Wright and Paul Green, led by the mercurial Orson Welles, the ensuing argument - delving into race, class, politics, and personal story - seems destined to dissolve the writers’ friendship.
Previously in 1940, controversial author Richard Wright turned to Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green to help adapt his best-selling book, Native Son, into a Broadway play. A friendship between the two developed - they debated and collaborated for several weeks over the summer in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, laboring night and day through extreme heat to adapt the story of Bigger Thomas, a young black man who accidentally but brutally kills a white woman in her bedroom.
"And one morning while in the woods I stumbled suddenly upon the thing.
Stumbled upon it in a grassy clearing guarded by scaly oaks and elms.
And the sooty details of the scene rose, thrusting themselves between the world and me…."
- Richard Wright, 1935
"The strange thing about this race thing, he’d call me Mr. Green, I called him Dick. Now why in the heck I didn’t say, “Now Dick, quit that. Call me Paul.” But I didn’t. What in the heck went on?"
- Paul Green, c. 1975
ROTTENTOMATOES.COM - The Problem of the Hero
“A passionate, blazing, and deeply enticing human drama.” -Film Threat
“A pertinent, powerful, and ultimately positive watch.” -Flick Feast
One of the top 20 films of the year -Beyond Chron, SF
“Dozier’s film fascinates.... enthralling..... incredible performances...A worthwhile film much deserving ..... of access to the widest possible audience." -Beyond Chron, SF
“In this film, the conversations are as timely as they’ve ever been." -Professional Southerner
“The Problem of the Hero decidedly stands in a unique space of its own” -ReviewRon
“A profound exploration of vital themes .... race, cultural appropriation, and creative agency.” -Hoy Sale Cine
“Enthralling, captivating and effective”- Battle Royal with Cheese
“Captivates with drive, passion, and tremendous depth - every word feels necessary and vital and relevant.” - TheIndependentCritic.com
Pre-Production: June 2019 - November 2019 (Raleigh/Durham, NC & Greensboro NC)
Production (principal photography): December 2019 & January 2020 (in Greensboro, NC) and February 2020 through December 2021 (additional exteriors in Durham, NC, and other North Carolina locations)*
Post Production: September, 2020 - November, 2022
Festival Premiere 2023
Released 2025.
Distribution by Buffalo 8.
Budget $248K
*Covid19 interruptions