An escaped slave travels north and has chance encounters with Frederick Douglass and John Brown. Based on the life story of Shields Green.
Acting
Okeniyi's simmering silence speaks louder than speeches.
Writing
Green as enigma—history forgot him, this film won't.
Production
Intimate scope that makes Harper's Ferry feel personal.
Director
Mark Amin
Dayo Okeniyi
Shields Green
Bruce Dern
Levi Coffin
James Cromwell
John Brown
Kat Graham
Delores
Ben Robson
Luke McCabe
Naturi Naughton
Sarah Green
Paul Scheer
Duvane Henderson
Keean Johnson
Rufus Kelly
M.C. Gainey
Randolph Stevens
Mykelti Williamson
Truesdale
Harry Lennix
Frederick Douglas
Nicholas Logan
Gunther Bowman
Brad Carter
Grady
Trayce Malachi
Tommy
Dorothy Steel
Slave
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shields Green was real but barely documented—director Mark Amin is his descendant, making this deeply personal recovery.
Released in 2020, it reframes 'white savior' narratives by making Green the active agent and Brown the chaotic ally. Frederick Douglass's hesitation? Historically accurate and deliberately uncomfortable.
US
