‘The Birth of A Nation’ is not “just another slave film.” This movie is revolutionary, it speaks volumes to the nation we live in today.
The Birth of A Nation stars actor Nate Parker who is known for other works such as The Secret Life of Bee’s and The Great Debaters. Not only did Parker star as Nat Turner in this film he pretty much orchestrated the entire production. Parker wrote the screenplay and looked for financiers to assist him. Money may have been sparse, but the film defied all odds and was able to direct a powerful film. After a successful review at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, FOX Searchlight, broke records, by buying the project for $17.5 million.
This film may be one of the most important to date, not only in Black history, but in American history. It depicts the life of Nat Turner, a preacher and a slave. Nat Turner was in no way an ordinary slave, he was well educated in reading, writing, and fluent in various languages. In an era where blacks were not educated, he was considered elite. The plantation owner whom he first belonged to made him superior in a sense that he was treated as an equal. After he was sold to a different owner, he was treated the exact opposite and in opposition, he organized a group of slaves to rebel.
The Birth of A Nation stars Gabrielle Union, Jackie Earle Haley, Aja Naomi King and Armie Hammer. The film will be released in theaters, October 2016.
