Sundance darling The Birth of a Nation has fast become one of the early dark horses going into this year’s awards circuit – and it’s little wonder why.
Set against the antebellum South, Nate Parker’s creative tour-de-force – Parker wrote, directed, produced and starred in the inspired race drama – revolves around the true story of one Nat Turner, the slave and preacher who famously staged one of the most important uprisings in American history in the Virginia of 1830.
Indeed, early buzz for The Birth of a Nation on the festival circuit ensured Parker’s passion project became the highest sale in Sundance history, and you can get a gist of the drama that awaits in October via the movie’s official synopsis. Taking point as Nat Turner, Parker leads the charge as a “literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities – against himself and his fellow slaves – Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.”
What’s more, Fox Searchlight’s awards-friendly drama is no slouch in the casting department either, having assembled the likes of Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Jr., Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Dwight Henry, Aja Naomi King, Esther Scott, Roger Guenveur Smith and Gabrielle Union.
Fox Searchlight will instigate The Birth of a Nation on October 7.
