Fox Searchlight Pictures releases THE BIRTH OF A NATION into UK cinemas this FRIDAY and they have just shared a brand new featurette where we learn more about the man behind the events that inspired the film. In ‘Nat Turner: American Revolutionary‘ we hear from the cast and historians about the life of Nat Turner, the importance of his 1831 slave rebellion and why his story should be heard. Check it out above.
Set against the American South thirty years prior to the outbreak of the Civil War and based on a true story, THE BIRTH OF A NATION follows Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer) accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities – against himself, his wife Cherry (Aja Naomi King) and fellow slaves – Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.
The film was written and directed by Nate Parker, who also stars in the film as Turner and he actually invested his own money in the production of the movie. That may seem a rather brave thing to do, but Parker seems to know when he is onto a winner. He is best known for his work in THE GREAT DEBATERS and BEYOND THE LIGHTS.Â
Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, and Mark Boone Junior all star in the movie.
THE BIRTH OF A NATION releases in cinemas December 9th 2016.Â
