“The Birth of a Nation”, which will be released in
cinemas across Nigeria & Accra on November 18, 2016; is a different
side to the slavery account, a powerful inspirational tribute to the
struggle of African Americans. Unlike other slave-based stories where
the main character is subdued and the victim of gruesome master(s), this
movie shows how African Americans rebelled and fought against
oppression.
The main character is Nat Turner, played by Nate Parker
[Beyond the lights, Arbitrage], an enslaved African American ordained
preacher who spearheaded a slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831.
In a twist of fate story, Nat Turner was
encouraged to read by the wife of the plantation owner, who gave him a
bible. By the time he reached adulthood, he had become a man of
religion, capable of rousing eloquence.
Turner was rented out to preach at other
plantations where, after years of relatively humane treatment, he
became fully aware of the depravity and torture wreaked upon other
slaves. Unable to live with himself for keeping quiet and pushed over
the edge by the abuse he witnessed and experienced, including that of
his own wife, Cherry (Aja Naomi King [How to get away with Murder]), he strategically begins to plot an uprising.
The movie has several high and action packed moments, balanced with enough mush to appeal to audiences.
Directed, Written and Produced by Nate Parker, “The Birth of a Nation” is especially imperative given recent racial clashes in the U.S and the subsequent Black Lives Matter
movement. Parker’s command of the camera is unparalleled and he
demonstrates a gift for eliciting textured performances from his
co-stars, Aja Naomi King, Gabrielle Union, Armie Hammer, Colman Domingo, Penelope Ann Miller, Mark Boone Jr, Dwight Henry.
Turner believed that revolutionary violence would awaken others to the vile abuse of slaves and “The Birth of a Nation” seeks to ensure that he did not do so in vain.
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