As Valentine's Day approaches, join us for a screening of The Elephant in the Room, a new romantic comedy by Erik Bork about love, loyalty and the messy struggle to connect across political differences. Set in December 2020, the film tells the story of a lonely young woman grappling with the fact that a sweet guy she’d strongly consider is from the opposite political tribe.
Stay after the screening for a discussion facilitated by C-SPAM faculty director Kurt Gray, a professor in the Department of Psychology. In these deeply polarized times, we'll explore the opportunities the film provides for initiating dialogue and building bridges.
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.
While The Elephant in the Room functions as a light-hearted endearing comedy to entertain and move audiences, it’s also about a big issue with contemporary relevance: some say it’s the biggest issue of our time, underpinning all the others.
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.
And 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.
Erik Bork is best known for his multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning work as a writer-producer on the HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" and "Band of Brothers," executive produced by Tom Hanks (the latter partnered with Steven Spielberg). He has created and written numerous films and television projects for major networks, streamers and studios, and wrote and directed the short film I Got This, which won numerous film festival awards in 2018. He has worked as a script consultant and professor of screenwriting at the MFA level, and is 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.
This event is free, open to the public and welcome to everyone.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility at the film screening, please contact Marketing and Communications Associate Lauren Pond at pond.71@osu.edu.