"The Birth of a Nation," a new historical drama, looks at a slave uprising that took place in the early 1800s against the backdrop of the antebellum South, and NY1's Neil Rosen has the inside scoop.
Set against the backdrop of the antebellum South, "The Birth of a Nation" is a historical drama that looks at a slave rebellion that took place in 1831.
Nate Parker wrote, directed and stars as Nat Turner, a slave who's able to read and write and is also a preacher.
His financially strapped plantation owner, played by Armie Hammer, makes money on the side by renting Nat out to other plantations to preach the gospel. It's an effort to keep the slaves in line.
Nat is horrified as he witnesses the mistreatment of slaves at other plantations. And when his wife, played exceptionally by Aja Naomi King, is beaten and raped, he decides to lead a violent and deadly rebellion, as he fights for freedom and justice.
First-time writer/director Parker has made a powerful, haunting and emotionally gripping film. His performance as Nat is superb. He's charismatic, and there's subtlety in his expressiveness as he let's you see Nat's transformation from subservience to outrage.
As a filmmaker, Parker borrows several scenes from other films, and some of the direction is obvious. But his conventional, linear approach suits the story well, and in the process, he gives you a stirring and powerful history lesson that will both anger and move you.
Parker is currently embroiled in a controversy involving a rape charge that happened when he was in college that he was found not guilty of. It's taken a lot of focus away from the film. But the movie should be seen. It manages to involve you, makes a powerful statement and it's a story that needs to be told.
Neil Rosen's Big Apple Rating: Three-and-a-half apples