A panel discussion featuring David Burris, the movie’s director, and Rash, WCU’s Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Culture, will be held in the theater at 5 p.m.

The story is of a rebellious young man struggling to escape the violence of his rural Appalachian community, which is still haunted by its legacy of a Civil War massacre. Through a series of events ranging from discovering a grove of marijuana to getting caught in a bear trap, the 17-year-old forges a friendship with a disgraced schoolteacher, and together, they begin to see connections between their community’s violent past and present.

Burris, a Raleigh native and Emmy-nominated producer, describes himself as a longtime fan of Rash’s work and says he feels a deep connection to the characters in the acclaimed author’s books. Formerly executive producer of the CBS reality show “Survivor,” Burris made his directorial debut with “The World Made Straight,” which was shot primarily in Buncombe, Henderson and Madison counties in the spring of 2013. The movie stars Jeremy Irvine as the rebellious young man and also features Minka Kelly, Noah Wyle, Haley Joel Osment, Adelaide Clemens and Steve Earle.

“‘The World Made Straight’ is about people born into a harsh world who must wrestle with hard choices,” Burris said. “I want people to leave the theater crying, and still, somehow, be happy, somehow be satisfied knowing that the world is both ugly and beautiful, crooked and straight.”

Tickets for the film are $5 for WCU students, faculty and staff, and $10 for the general public. Tickets are being sold at the English department office in Room 305 of WCU’s Coulter Building (cash or check only) and at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, and Fountainhead Bookstore in Hendersonville. Admission to the panel discussion is free. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to help finance professional development and travel for English department students.

 “The World Made Straight” was released to theaters in January, but was limited to venues in Raleigh, Charlotte and 10 major cities outside North Carolina. The movie was released nationwide on DVD in February.

828.227.7264.