The new Birth of A Nation movie (The Nat Turner Story) is out now and it is making history in the indie film market. The new movie by Nate Parker, young actor turned screen director and producer, is surprising everyone. The film has already grossed over 17 million in revenue. That may be nothing compare to big blockbuster films by it is an extreme feat for a small budget indie film.
The film is based on the 1831 slave liberation movement led by Nat Turner. The up rising took place in the state of Virginia in August of 1831 and it resulted in the death of nearly 70 white men women and children. Many of those that were slain were plantation owners and their families.Nat Turner by some accounts was runaway slave who had turned himself in after having a spiritual experience while on the run. Turner said that while he was in the woods the voice of God spoke to him and told him to go back into bondage and lead his people out.
The life of Nat Turner is a remarkable story and equally remarkable is the fact that Nate Parker chose to tell this story at this time in history, especially when we look around at the race problems we have in America today. We won’t go into that because that is a talk for another day but I will say I solute Nate Parker and all those involved in bringing this story to the big screen. 17 million on an indie film is a big deal and I hope this helps to dispel the myth that African film are not bankable. I hope it also shows future black filmmakers and investors that people will pay to see them movies like this as well.
I am happy to see that the film is having success but I am disheartened by the fact that the media isn’t talking about the film enough. Meanwhile, the media seems to be going out of its way to promote the remaking of the movie Root by Alex Haley, a story some say is a work of fiction. Mainstream Hollywood can’t seem to get enough the same old slave narratives; you know slaves just happy to be slaves and loving their slave master. I for one, am tired of seeing movies like “The Help”, “The Butler”, Twelve Years a Slave” and any other slave romance story.
In closing, I just want to say again I am extremely proud that someone has stood up and made a film my people can be proud of. I hope that you all go out and see the film and support our brother who has taken a courageous step for our people as well as the indie film community. Black films have and audience and has proven once again it has earning potential.Please support the film.
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