Review of The Birth of a Nation (2016) by Byron B — 10 Jul 2018

Purposely uses the same title as D. W. Griffith's film. Although there is no direct connection between that film's plot and this one there is a metaphorical connection with a reversed pov. This is not such an epic tale as it focuses more closely on the slave rebellion led by Nat Turner.

There are important themes here about Christianity being a tool to subdue unruly slaves and the spiritual motivator that causes Turner to rebel. Nate Parker wrote, directed, and starred, but then in the pre-#METOO movement former legal trouble with a rape allegation came to light that many believe was not adequately addressed.

So again controversy in a director's personal life (which is a regular occurrence) has soured the impact this film story could have had. It is not super innovative, hitting certain plot points that many African slave life dramas contain, but it is solidly structured and seems to be over so quickly.