Cant wait to see it either. More history transformed from our history books into film told by us. It is nice see in this lifetime. 😊 Nat Parker & the cast did a great job w/bringing a moment in history to real life.
Congratulations to Nate Parker and the entire cast and crew of "The Birth of a Nation" for winning the two highest honors at the Sundance Film Festival- The Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize!
Chris Alderman i was on the marketing team for that script from 2009. It was written in 1980 by a white guy after weeks of research was done with the descendants of all people involved. We marketed that script to mandalay in 2010-11 at that time nate parker blogged he was looking for a nat turner script. Too coincidental.
+Peter Schiotis Do you have the 1980 script? I'd love to read it and see how well it matches up with Parker's film. I don't find it at all coincidental that there is interest in Nat Turner at this time. Probably many scripts have been written about him. If the only similarity between the old script and the one for Birth of a Nation is the lead character, your claim is pretty weak.
14:30 Parker: "usually when we see films about slavery it paints the oppressor as a sociopath...and people can check out...the reality is...."{WATCH THIS PART!!}}
+Kyra Gaunt, Ph.D. McQueen said something similar. You have to create a person in order for the audience, I hope, can find themselves in there. That's what I'm looking for in any movie. I need a fleshed out person. There are ingredients, a method of the madness.
Peter Schiotis Buddy, this is a public forum that you made an open allegation. Who said you owed anyone anything? Just asking you to substantiate your open statement.
I am so proud of Nate Parker for doing this film, such a brilliant actor, writer and director. He's from my home state Virginia. The whole entire cast did a brilliant job, outstanding.
nate parker congrats man I hope this film gets many recognition during awards season may your name on the list for a Oscar nominations or golden globe either way its time to make good films.
Nate Parkers my favorite actor and my hero for taking a chance and having great courage to put the truth there are so many other black true stories this is only the beginning me being a singersongwriter great job my brother respect
+shawn preston yeah cause they raped a girl together at Penn State. Excited for the film but will not glorify or put actor's or actresses on pedestals.
thatshot8 No thanks. If it was important enough for you to go out your way to mention, it should have been just as important enough for you to go out of your way to explain. If you won't take the time, why should I? I guess we could both agree that it's not worth it. Personally, if I was so certain of rape committed by someone, I wouldn't search for them or view their promotional content online, regardless of how good it is. Example, I don't watch the Cosby's or check for content associated with him. No further comment will be exchanged; take care.
I cannot wait to see this! I remember watching Nate in The Great Debaters many years ago and wondering why I'd never seen this kid before in anything else. His part was small but his performance moved me so much... To me he had this air of an artist destined greatness. Not to just settle for any old kind of role here and there, but to truly say something with his talent and make the kind of impact he's making right now.
My heart aches from the past. I hope people of all color see this movie and inspire to love one another equally. We would never unite because of culture but at least we can do is treat each other equally. #PEACE
lol, not to sound superficial but I love Gabrielle Union's outfit lol ^_^ I also loved Nate's response to someone in the audience: "She's right. The Bible's been used for great atrocities and it's true. It's like a hammer. If you beat somebody with a hammer it doesn't make the hammer any more of a weapon than just a hammer. It's still a hammer but it's being used for the wrong thing. And that's what we saw in the film. So you have to ask yourself, cause I'm a Christian, I'm a man of faith, and if there's any Christians in the audience, you have to ask yourself, "Am I a Nat Turner Christian? Or am I a Christian I like the people who skinned Nat Turner?" You gotta choose, cause you're either one or the other. Right? So it's a question of our faith. You gotta really claim it and ask ourselves where do we stand on our faith."
I pray that this is only the beginning in the production of films like this. Historically correct films that spark debate and challenges the sugar coated attempts before "Birth of a Nation"... Nate Parker has started something that will bring the haters out in force. I can already hear the fakes on Fox news challenging the authenticity of this film. I would proudly invest in films about black people that corrects the white-washing of biblical characters in our history.
+MrRolltide91 there is a smear campaign that's gonna run bc we just can't have anything. Nate parker and that jean guy in college were accused of rape while a girl was passed out and then bullying her all over campus about it. Nate was acquitted bc they had consensual sex the day before and they can't determine if the seven was from the consensual sex or the no consensual rape. However his roommate that Jean guy was prosecuted and did jail time. One day black men will learn that to get half of what whites have we have to do four times the work and that includes keeping your nose clean. Then he sells this movie to fox for distribution rights. Either they will table the movie and never release it or it will be a watered down version. The general public will never see what they saw at sundance. Just like Bill Cosby a lot of those women are lying but a lot of those women he actually slept with. I have no remorse for him bc he should have stayed with his black wife only.
+MrRolltide91 here is a link to the case www.womenslawproject.org/Briefs/Doe_PSU_amended_complaint.pdf One day we will learn we can't do what they do and still be successful. Look at woody Allen and all his scandal. He still gets awards and all his movies are in play but the Cosby show was cancelled before anything even went to trial. I still support Nate and I am impressed that he put everything into this story but once again it will be tainted even though they do worst.
15:04 Great point. No one is born evil or racist or bad, they become that way through it being taught to them or they pick it up themselves. The system back then and even today can turn a person who is on a path to greatness into a racist or bad person etc.
Although I was anticipating the release of this film, I was disappointed after researching some information about Mr. Nate Parker. Not only was he accused of raping a female college student in 1999 at Penn State (which by no means is proclamation of guilt, but is nonetheless shocking and leaves one scratching their head), he has made it clear that he will never play a "gay character." He has also taken the liberty to discuss the "emasculation and feminization of the black male" in film and television, expressing concern "to preserve the black man" in media. However, he has played a gang member in the past ("Red Hook Summer") and appears to have a non-black wife (not that there is anything wrong with this, but it is relevant to a discussion about black identity, images, and manhood/masculinity). What does this have to do with this "Birth of A Nation" film, you ask? Well first, for someone so committed to telling the story of an African American man that risked his life for his freedom and the freedom of others, it seems a little close-minded, bigoted, and reductive to never consider playing a "gay character." Afterall, an actor or actress should have range and challenge him or herself to play characters that may be different from one's own self, especially those that are marginalized or have stories that haven't been told, right? Why completely shut the idea out without having more information about a potential progressive story in which playing a "gay character" may be of interest? Second, what exactly is his "image" of the black male that needs to be "preserved?" I hope it has nothing to do with being violent, overly hostile, sexually aggressive toward women, or only desiring women that have European features. Afterall, what constitutes an "image of a black male" in this society is subjective and isn't a one-size-fits-all description. Third, in a discussion about images of the "black male," women (both black and of other races) usually can be connected to the conversation in some way. The right for Mr. Parker to have a fair-skinned or white wife is his; however, to single out and call in question the image of the black male and "those with questionable sexuality" as being an issue of "emasculation" is somewhat hypocritical and one-sided. If interracial love/marriage is okay (and it is!!!) and isn't emasculating or somehow doesn't devalue the 'blackness' or 'manhood' of the black man, then why must his sexuality? I'm certain Mr. Parker knows better than this. Also, when discussing slavery and black history, relationships between black men and non-black women have (historically) been a point of contention for many (which is another discussion entirely but can be extended from the current conversation). Fourth, since he has been on the receiving end of a rape allegation in the past, I think he should also offer an impassioned opinion on rape culture on college campuses - especially since it seems to be a valid issue in 2016 (just my opinion). This would be a great opportunity to discuss how masculinity and patriarchy have been used to promote passivity of sexual assaults against women. The point? Being selective in one's liberation or advocacy for characters with stories shouldn't be based on bigoted or prejudiced ideals. One's own liberation shouldn't disregard the liberation of others. The Nat Turner story is one of dignity, strength, courage, and equality ON A HUMAN LEVEL. The character of the man producing/re-introducing such a narrative project is relevant. You cannot uplift the triumphs of one man or woman while discounting and devaluing those of others, especially when there are stark commonalities within the human condition. People are people. Period. Gay, straight, black, white, male female, whatever. Everyone has story and no story should be devalued. Although Mr. Parker is entitled to select and play the characters he wants, his reasoning behind such should not aim to trivialize and reduce the lives of some or to reinforce the bigotry plaguing our society.
Such an intelligent analysis here on RU-vid. You made some interesting and salient points. I believe Nate's current wife who's last name is DiSanto is a fair-skinned Hispanic or Latina. The woman who accused him and his roommate of rape in college at Penn State (and is now deceased from suicide) was allegedly European-American. I don't know the ethnicities of the other women Parker has been involved with, but based on those two choices I guess you can say he leans toward and likes "Vanilla." I respect the fact that actors have preferences. Some women and men will not do nude scenes. Nate Parker does not want to portray gay characters. I have an African-American male friend who will not take a gay role or do nude scenes. :-P I am not comfortable in an acting role kissing anyone I'm not romantically involved with (unless they are extremely hot!). Don't judge me. LOL. On the other hand you would expect actors to want to show their range, but some things fall outside the lines of what one is comfortable with and that's their choice. I do take issue when there is this one hyper-masculine identity that is supposed to define what "manhood" is about - -> aggressive and sometimes violent, hyper-sexual, not allowed to cry or show emotion etc. I respect the humanity of all people and that includes a full spectrum of masculine identity (which might range from The Rock to RuPaul). I'm offended when men are offended at being called slurs identified with femininity or being a woman (like p*ssy or douche). I want to say "What's wrong with femininity?" After all, it if weren't for a woman birthing us into the Universe, you none of the 7 billion people on this planet would be here.
let me guess, u must be gay? your whole comment didn't say anything important, u keep circling around the fact that Nate parker has said he wont ever play a gay character role. soooo what, that has nothing to do with the movie.
thank all the white people who lent themselves to this project. we are one congratulations Nate I cried😂...thanx man this movie is gonna be a favorite of mine 🙏
14:30-16:20 is the goose who laid the golden egg. That is exactly what the people of this country needs to take into account. Let's deal with it so we can move....together!
This is not the type of film the powers that be want to be made or shown. Black people rising up and fighting fire with fire is not what they want or need.
Its good to see a director be able to make a movie he is passionate about, but I do wonder how authentic the movie will be to what history says about the actual Nat Turner (ex. he murdered men, women, and children).
ISLAMATRON so if I understand you correctly, the enslavement of women and children justifies the murder of other women and children even if the victims of the murders played no part in the enslavement or treatment of the rebellious slaves? Also if you read the history of this unfortunate chapter in American history (to be clear I consider slavery and its effects to be a black mark on American History), you'll find that this rebellion only increased the harsh treatment of slaves. Also Turner hid for two months while other blacks were prosecuted and hanged.
geri holder How do you know what the children would grow up to be? Most whites, although racists, didn't own slaves at the time. Also, how do you know how vicious the wives or women were? Where are you getting your information from?
+Kevin Stehr How do you know they wouldn't. How do you know they weren't vicious. Read the biography of Frederick Douglas as one example of how vicious those bitches were. All white people benefited from slavery. Yes I said ALL.
don't forget back in Africa tribes enslaved and engaged in slavery of rival tribe members and muslims engaged in slavery and slave trade. these facts must be included in any slavery discussion. can't forget history now can we.
How does that contribute to the discussion about American slavery? We can analyze and dissect global slavery, but the legacy of AMERICAN slavery left an ugly stain on this nation.
This is prophecy and denial of this don't change God. Deuteronomy 28:68 And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you. Let's take a close look at this scripture. Egypt is in Africa...and God used it as our punishment. Africans were never apart of God's covenant that caused our judgements. Amos 3:1-2 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2. You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Exodus 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. In ships. The timeline for this is about 1441 A.D. World enslavement has begun, long after our Exodus from Egypt. Exodus 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Anywhere we're taken to the four corners of the world, would be bondage like we had in Egypt. We have never been to our family's home in Jerusalem, like God said. And our oppressors are called our ENEMIES they did not act as a friend to us. Our family could not free us from bondage and yet we were sold to our ENEMIES. Where we are still on our slave land and we still carry the master's last names...till this day. 8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Throughout their history, Israel and Judah contended with enemies committed to their destruction, finding refuge only in their covenant-keeping God.
