In 1915, D.W. Griffith made the film Birth of a Nation – universally acclaimed for its brilliance, but very much a record of the racial biases of the time.
In 2015, Nate Parker wrote, directed, produced and starred in Birth of a Nation – the story of Nat Turner, who led an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.
Fox Searchlight bought the film for $17 million and has announced an awards season opening date. Follow the jump for details.
IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 7, 2016
Directed by: Nate Parker
Screenplay by: Nate Parker
Produced by: Nate Parker, Kevin Turen, Jason Michael Berman, Aaron L. Gilbert, Preston L. Holmes
Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Jr., Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Dwight Henry, Aja Naomi King, Esther Scott, Roger Guenveur Smith, Gabrielle Union
Set against the antebellum South, THE BIRTH OF A NATION follows Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities – against himself and his fellow slaves – Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.
THE BIRTH OF A NATION opens nationwide Friday, October 7, 2016