Birth of a Nation is about the remarkable true story of Nate Turner. Nate Turner was a slave who was also a preacher. He would later lead a slave rebellion that was responsible for the deaths of several slave masters. He was later executed for his actions.Over the past two months Birth of a Nation has been making headlines, but not for the reasons that Fox Searchlight would have liked. When the film debut at the Sundance Film Festival back in January it was met with wide praise and anticipation. Fox Searchlight purchased the rights to the film for a record $17.5 million. I was shaking in my boots with excitement thinking about seeing this film. I knew it would be a film that would shake me to my emotional core.
Two months ago, it was revealed that the director Nate Parker was accused of raping a fellow college student in the late 90's. He was later acquitted for those charges. It became difficult for the film to shake off that revelation. I admit that my excitement for the film became clouded. There was such much noise on social media, it was hard to figure out if it was worth seeing the film. I decided to watch the film and judge the film for the work that it was. I left behind any preconceived notions that I might have had.
What I found out was this film was a masterpiece. Not only was it one of the best films that came out this year, it was probably one of the most powerful films that I have ever watched. The film was visually remarkable. Blood spatter on a cloth of dying man was almost foreshadowing the rebellion. Corn being filled with blood to portray Nate's grief. The transition of the crying boy to the soldier he would become fighting for the Union. Parker did a marvelous job directing this film.
It is not an easy film to watch. It will sit with you long after the film credits roll. It is a movie that deals with a slave rebellion. There are scenes that show the brutality of slavery. There was one scene in particular that I had to turn my head away. I won't spoil it, but I will say it had to deal with a force feeding.
Aja Naomi King's portrayal of Cherry Turner was simply breathtaking. I hope she gets some award recognition, but it is looking very doubtful right now.
It is your choice to watch this film. I completely understand if that is something you cannot do. For me, this film was worth seeing.
