Based on the true story of inspirational debate coach, Melvin B. Tolson, who encouraged the students of a small, all-black East Texas college to form a formidable debate team, who went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship in the 1930s. Denzel Washington directs and acts as the ambitious educator, and Forest Whitaker as the initially unsupportive and resentful father of a child prodigy James Farmer whose loyalties begin to lie with his coach rather than father. The team also features Nate Parker stars as the troubled Henry and Jurnee Smollett as the desired and driven Samantha.