The Elephant in the Room
ABOUT
THE FILM
In the weeks after the 2020 election, Leah, a progressive woman stuck in pandemic isolation, meets a man she finally connects with—until she finds out he voted for Trump.
It’s a seeming deal-breaker but she keeps the dialogue open. Their awkward courtship stumbles forward, with her attempts to influence his views backfiring, and their interactions challenging her own assumptions and blind spots.
Meanwhile she seeks a friendship with her wary gay housemate – wanting his take on all this, while trying to help him with his own floundering personal life.
The Elephant in the Room uses sharp comedy and heart to explore love, loyalty, and the messy struggle to connect across differences, inviting audiences to reflect on their own rigidity and the possibility of finding common ground.
A ROMCOM ABOUT
POLARIZATION
America’s political divide has grown so deep that many now see those in the opposing party not just as wrong, but as immoral and dangerous. Research shows these views are often based on exaggerated stereotypes, with each side overestimating how extreme and hostile the other really is. This misperception feeds distrust, weakens democratic norms, and makes compromise nearly impossible.
Yet studies also show that when people are exposed to real stories and humanized portrayals of the ‘other side,’ their attitudes soften. Cultural platforms—especially film and television—can play a vital role here by breaking down monolithic images and showing the shared hopes, fears, and complexities that cut across partisan lines. Something The Elephant in the Room approaches with heart and a light touch.
While documentaries on polarization provide valuable facts and real-life insights, narrative films have the unique power to humanize complex issues, making them more relatable. Scripted stories with humor and deeper emotion can challenge stereotypes and shift perspectives in ways documentaries often can’t. Which is why screening hosts and “bridging” organizations are excited about this film.
ABOUT
THE FILMMAKER
Erik Bork is best known for his multiple Emmy Award-winning work as a writer-producer on the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, executive produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. He has created and written numerous films and television projects for major networks, streamers and studios, and has worked as a script consultant and professor of screenwriting at the MFA level. Erik is also the author of the popular book on the craft entitled The Idea: The Seven Elements of a Viable Story for Screen, Stage, or Fiction. The Elephant in the Room marks his feature film directing debut.