The Birth of a Nation
In 1915, D. W. Griffith produced a groundbreaking motion picture, a movie that would set the tone for Hollywood for decades to come.
It was also one of the most racist movies ever produced. It portrays black men as sexually aggressive and people to be feared. It glorifies the Ku Klux Klan.
And in 2016, Nate Parker appropriated the title to make a startling movie about a slave, Nat turner and the uprising he led in the 1830's.
Of course we saw The Birth of a Nation.
Although not nearly as graphic as Twelve Years a Slave, it nevertheless addresses the real horrors of slavery.
Interesting movie, it shows Turner's evolution from a relatively happy and comfortable slave into the leader of a doomed rebellion. As a young boy he is taught to read the Bible, and then to preach. Later, his preaching skills are used to quell rebellious feelings among the slave population.
Not the best movie, but certainly worth seeing.
It was also one of the most racist movies ever produced. It portrays black men as sexually aggressive and people to be feared. It glorifies the Ku Klux Klan.
And in 2016, Nate Parker appropriated the title to make a startling movie about a slave, Nat turner and the uprising he led in the 1830's.
Of course we saw The Birth of a Nation.
Although not nearly as graphic as Twelve Years a Slave, it nevertheless addresses the real horrors of slavery.
Interesting movie, it shows Turner's evolution from a relatively happy and comfortable slave into the leader of a doomed rebellion. As a young boy he is taught to read the Bible, and then to preach. Later, his preaching skills are used to quell rebellious feelings among the slave population.
Not the best movie, but certainly worth seeing.
Have you ever seen the D.W.Griffith film in its entirety?
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ReplyDeleteNo, but I do have access to a complete copy of it on DVD, and will watch it eventually.
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