Nate Parker’s ‘Birth of a Nation’ had the biggest bidding war in Sundance history

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You should take this as a preview of the 2017 awards season, because Nate Parker is going to be EVERYWHERE this time next year. Several days ago, Nate Parker (actor/producer/writer/director) premiered his film, Birth of a Nation, at Sundance. The first screening apparently ended with rapturous applause and critics were already saying “OSCAR!” Parker wrote, directed, produced and stars in Birth of a Nation, the true story of Nat Turner’s rebellion, wherein “rebel slaves” turned on their slave masters and slaughtered people by the dozen. After the first screening, various studios and producers got into the biggest bidding war in the history of Sundance. Parker ended up selling the film to Fox Searchlight for $17.5 million. Variety has more details:

Nate Parker may be racking up the airline miles to promote “The Birth of a Nation.” The director and star behind the slave revolt drama has told Fox Searchlight that after spending seven years of his life bringing the story of Nat Turner to the screen, he’s going to be the face and voice of his passion project. According to insiders, Parker’s deep connection to the material and his willingness to go door-to-door to promote the picture were major reasons that “The Birth of a Nation” landed the biggest deal in the history of the Sundance Film Festival: a $17.5 million payday from Fox Searchlight for global rights.

Parker’s story, and his multi-hypenate status, is expected to be a key component in the marketing outreach of the film… Details about the film’s rollout have yet to be discussed, but Parker has envisioned holding Q&A’s and discussions across the country, where he’ll tie the themes of the movie with the current nationwide dialogue about race.

“The Birth of a Nation” represents a big risk for the studio. The movie is violent and will no doubt be rated R. A traditional independent distributor or mini-major would have to push “The Birth of a Nation” to roughly $26 million at the domestic box office before its ancillary television deals would kick in and the film would be profitable. To break even purely in its theatrical run, most distributors would need the picture to do more than $50 million. For comparison’s sake, many of this year’s award season pictures — like “Brooklyn,” “Room” and “Spotlight” — have yet to cross that threshold.

[Variety]

Variety goes on to say that because Fox Searchlight bought it, they’re already going to have a built-in revenue coming in because their films go to HBO, plus they have built-in foreign-market deals to be made. Fox Searchlight was actually outbid by Netflix, who bid $20 million all-in, but Parker wanted to insure that his film got a wider release than Netflix’s previous model, Beasts of No Nation. Variety also notes (although it’s been largely unspoken in the past two weeks) that this is just the kind of film that will garner more support in next year’s awards season because the Academy will likely “overcorrect” after two years of #OscarsSoWhite. My guess is that next year’s nominees will be packed with more diverse candidates, and it’s sounding like Nate Parker will have a big seat at the table.

Now, all that being said – and I am genuinely happy for Parker, truly – this goes to a very common and very accurate complaint lodged against “mainstream Hollywood” and the Academy specifically. Even without the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, Birth of a Nation would have been the kind of film that the Academy loved, because the Academy loves films about slavery. And that’s something that needs to be addressed as well.

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Photos courtesy of Getty, Fame/Flynet.

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100 Responses to “Nate Parker’s ‘Birth of a Nation’ had the biggest bidding war in Sundance history”

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  1. LB says:

    I really want to support this movie but I’ve started to read a lot about the filmmaker’s personal beliefs and past history that make me side eye him a bit. Sometimes it’s a curse to “know” too much. Sigh.

    • NewWester says:

      What exactly did he say or do?

      • LB says:

        He’s made several homophobic comments in past interviews.

        In terms of what he did, he was ultimately acquitted but he was accused of rape while in college and he, along with the other writer/producer on this film (who was found guilty for the same rape incident), reportedly harassed the victim after she decided to press charges.

        I just read about it the other day and was very disappointed because I loved him in Beyond the Lights and wanted to support this movie that looks very good.

      • Jag says:

        Thank y’all for explaining and mentioning this. I’ll be passing on the movie.

      • whatthe says:

        If you knew all the mess of people you meet then you would never leave your house. If you want to see the movie then see the movie. None of us are pure.

    • t.fanty says:

      Yeah, everyone’s new favorite is problematic. Also, he and his writing partner had some issues with a serious assault issues against a woman when they were in college. I’m happy for the film, I’m not sure I can get on board with Parker.

      Also, can we start promoting movies that feature people of color that aren’t about racism?

      • LAK says:

        Speaking of racially charged films, Ama Assante (BELLE)’s latest film , A UNITED KINGDOM, might give this one a ran for it’s money. The DM is already doing the PR work for it even though it’ release date is also award season period. And it stars Davis Oyelewo, who might get a pity nomination on the strength of his being overlooked for SELMA.

        It tells the story of the Botswana Prince who married an English woman just as Apartheid was being set up in SA, leading to much censure of their relationship by the British, South African and Botswana tribal govts. Eventually he gave up his rights to the throne for love, but then ran for election and became the first president of Botswana.

        The focus is racial prejudice from all sides because the Blacks were as opposed to it as the whites and both sides behaved very badly indeed

      • Farhi says:

        David O. has 3 very interesting movies coming out next year. I think he’ll be nominated for at least one of them.
        He is doing United Kingdom , Nina and Queen of Katwe.
        His star is on the rise, very happy for him.

      • WTW says:

        @T. Fanty 1,000 times yes! I am so tired of period films showing blacks in subservient roles during slavery or segregation. I get that this film is about a slave rebellion, but why the need for more films during these time periods? If Hollywood is to diversify, it must start producing films showing people of color in the here and now as three-dimensional people. As an African American and a film lover, I’m tired of the fact that if I want to see black people in film, I’m limited to biopics, oppression films or Tyler Perry claptrap. There is much more to the black experience than this.

      • t.fanty says:

        You know who does that? Chris Rock. I Think I Love My Wife is a criminally underrate movie.

  2. Elizabeth says:

    I’ve really liked Nate Parker in everything I’ve seen him in and I’m glad this is working out for him! I don’t like violent movies, but there’s no way to tell the story of Nat Turner without violence and I’m planning to see this one when it comes out.

    • Mia4s says:

      I won’t be. His co-writer/producer appears to be a convicted rapist. His behaviour is also highly questionable. Google Nate Parker, Pen State, rape and harassment, and start reading.If I don’t support Polanski or Woody Allen I cannot in good conscience support this film.

    • Betsy says:

      I was just thinking how much I missed the way Old Hollywood made movies. Not so much the segregation/sexism/invisibility of many, but how violence was alluded to rather than shown. Movies are already artifice; I’m okay imaging the violence instead of the limbs flying, arterial spurting, ghastly gore that they depict in terrifying detail.

      So basically I don’t see a lot of movies.

      • Naya says:

        I see your point. But I think with movies based on real life events, it is important not to disguise the brutality. Sure you could imagine a slave being whipped or people suffocating in a gas chamber but its far more powerful when you see what 10 lashes do to the human body or the last desperate breaths of a room full of people. If somebody lived it, then we shouldnt sanitize it.

      • Betsy says:

        Not showing something in vivid color with horrific is not the same thing as “sanitizing” it. Quite frankly, it sounds like half of what they depict today, whether based on reality or not, is halfway to torture pron. I’m not sure how that improves things for people who have suffered physical afflictions.

      • LAK says:

        I strongly disagree that films should be explicit in their depiction of certain actions whatever they may be. The suggestion often more terrifying in imagination than the visual. I don’t need to see every detail to know how horrific the act is. If anything, seeing it desensitizes a person to the act so that it loses it’s power such that the next time someone tells a similar story, it’s not as terrifying.

      • Farhi says:

        I think over the top violence often turns people off and thus weakens the message. This is a case where less is more – give the information but let people imagine the gory details for themselves.

        I don’t watch super violent movies for that reason, I can’t handle the graphic scenes. For whatever reason it is easier for me to be in pain myself than watch somebody else suffer even when I know it is not real.

      • WTW says:

        @Betsy, I agree with you. I am a major fan of Hitchcock, and I think he did a great job alluding to violence without showing it. There’s a scene in “Strangers on a Train” in which a strangling is shown entirely though the victim’s glasses, giving the audience a distorted view of the act but still letting us know what happened. It was quite inventive.

  3. Neelyo says:

    As a black person, I avoid slavery movies because it’s too painful. The pictures and stories are bad enough, I don’t need to see it onscreen. There was a great article about this on Jezebel recently and now I can’t find it to link, aaargh!

    But this will sweep the Oscars next year, the Academy can pat themselves on the back and then go back to business as usual.

    • PrincessMe says:

      Me too, Neelyo – for the same reason. They’re extremely difficult for me to watch, so I tend to stay away from them. I remember black history month just being horrible for me when I was younger, so I stopped watching the movies for my own sanity.
      I get that this is a true story, but it just feels that this information is coming out at a “convenient” time. Oooh, look, they’re not biased, they’re totally going to award another slave movie next year. It’s just bitter-sweet to me. Good for him that his movie is being recognized (hopefully it’s a good movie and he’s rewarded for his efforts) but it’s another slave movie.
      I feel like I’m not even articulating myself properly right now, so I’ll just leave it there.

    • QQ says:

      Also with you Neely but even if it’s something I can’t stand to watch cause it’s hurtful (fruitvale station/ 12yas) I’ll still go buy tickets and go watch something lighter, yet there are movies and stories that need to be told and we need to put our consumer weight behind, This one, where slaves aren’t just taking the reaming for 2-3 hours straight Def will have to be watched for me, also i’m happy so so so happy this worked our for him, that he put his money sweat and so on into this and saw it through and Made bank ( apparently part of the deal is to have it shown in high schools/colleges as well!)

  4. Holly says:

    its great to see a rapist and homophobe have so much success!

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      What happened, Holly? This is news to me.

      • SBS says:

        I posted about it but it got removed. He and the co-writer were accused of rape in college, it looks like it got really bad with them stalking the victim. The co-writer was actually convicted.

      • Neelyo says:

        Couldn’t find anything about rape but here are some pretty stupid comments about homosexuality:

        http://www.ebony.com/news-views/nate-parker-homophobic-comment-422#axzz3ydXtm0S7

      • KWM says:

        My sister in law was at Penn State at the time and it was bad. Not only did they harass her, Nate and his writing partner, hired a private investigator who went around campus with a blown up picture of her. Up until then everyone knew there was a rape but never knew who the victim was. The PI would stop people on their way to and from classes and ask very personal questions about her and show this poster size picture of her face. Your basic blame the victim, lets try to slut shame her. It was pretty well covered in the local paper, although true to sports being king the coverage was how the team was struggling without their wrestling stars.

      • Kitten says:

        Yeah…so to be fair to him, he was acquitted of the charges. Yet he’s still besties with the guy who spent 6 months in jail for the rape (he is also a co-writer on the movie) so…

        @KWM-That is…wow. That is truly terrible.

      • whatthe says:

        Six months? For rape?

    • Holly says:

      He and his bff (who he cowrote this movie with) gang raped a woman in college. He was acquitted because the woman admitted that she had consensual sex with him before, but his friend was convicted. They also stalked and harassed her and she attempted suicide because of it.

      He’s also made homophobic remarks before.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Oh, horrible. I’m so sorry for that woman. As if you can’t be raped by someone with whom you’ve had consensual sex before. That is awful.

      • tracking says:

        That is reprehensible. Well, word of this will spread and likely impact his Oscar chances.

      • Holly says:

        I’d like to think it would be spread, but this has been on his Wikipedia page for years and no one cared.

      • tracking says:

        True, Holly, but he hasn’t been a big name either. Only when I googled him did I realize he was in “Beyond the Lights.”

      • Naya says:

        “…gang raped a woman in college. He was acquitted because the woman admitted that she had consensual sex with him before, but his friend was convicted.”

        Yeah, no. This is not how the justice system works. I dont know if it was a wrong acquittal but I do know that the basis of that acquittal would never be that she had slept with him on a previous occasion.

      • frivolity says:

        So awful, but so par for the course in Hollywood. So many men with power in that industry (and others) have this kind of background. And of course, it is simply ignored because their mentality is that women and the LGBT community are there to be abused.

      • Betti says:

        Given the backlash against #oscarsowhite this behaviour will get ignored for Oscars 2017 Overcompensating, unless the press make a big deal of it but then again if they can give one to Roman Polanski then he still stands a good chance.

  5. Dangles says:

    “this is just the kind of film that will garner more support in next year’s awards season because the Academy will likely “overcorrect” after two years of #OscarsSoWhite.”

    Yeah, I’ve been thinking that next year’s Oscars will be more inclusive for black people, partly because of what has happened in the past two years. Overcorrect is an interesting way of putting it.

  6. Nikki says:

    Sounds like well deserved success, like he’s put his heart and soul into this. And I’ve always been curious about this slave revolt.

    • tracking says:

      Yes, an important story that should be told and a passion project that looks to be successful.

  7. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I’ve always been fascinated with Nat Turner, and the courage it would take to rebel in that world, with so little chance of success. I’m looking forward to this film, though it will certainly be difficult to watch.

    He’s very handsome. I’m shallow, I know.

  8. Jayna says:

    What is amazing is this is his debut as a director. He kept control over this project by being the producer/writer/director/actor so he could do it his way. This bidding war is going to put him in a very nice power position in Hollywood. He had no way of knowing that would be the outcome. He just had a passion to do this film his way.

    There’s a great interview in Indiewire that is a must-read. Here’s an excerpt that really impressed me.

    Q. “You said at the premiere that you put your acting career on hold until this movie could get made.

    A. “I did. There’s this fear of irrelevance in Hollywood where you’re completely programmed to believe, “If I go away or I don’t make one film a year, if I don’t make two films a year, if I’m not completely engrossed in my social media, you will become irrelevant, and people won’t care.” I don’t think that’s the truth. If you create one movie every five years and it’s something that creates systemic change, people will respond and they will support you. I have to buy into that idea. I have to reprogram myself to believe that I am an artist.

    Nina Simone said, “The artist’s job is to reflect the times.” I said, “Well, what I am doing to reflect the times? Am I just waiting on a job or am I just making popcorn?” I said, “Look, if I am to do this, it will require sacrifices in the same way that it took a sacrifice for Nat Turner.” There’s nothing I can do that will equal the sacrifice he made on behalf of his people. So I said, “Well, if I want to see this done, I have to put skin in the game. I have to put my career on the line. I have to put my financial stability on the line. I have to do it in a way that the people I need support from see it. So they will say, ‘He’s serious. He’s not just saying give me some money so I can make some money. He’s saying if this doesn’t work, he’s over.'”

    Full interview.
    http://www.indiewire.com/article/sundance-nate-parker-the-birth-of-a-nation-interview-20160127

    • Holly says:

      I wonder if people can reprogram themselves so they don’t rape and harass women like he did. Hmmm.

  9. grabbyhands says:

    Well, the Academy DOES love films about slavery, but mostly when there is a White Savior thrown in the mix to dangle in front of judges, unfortunately.

  10. Scal says:

    I’m tired of slavery movies. There has to be stories about black people that can be told without having to resort back to this one again. Maybe the Harlem Renaissance? Or just a regular person looking for love? Just something other than this-black people are more than slaves.

    • Betsy says:

      I’m white, but I agree. The story of slavery should definitely be told, but why black people still aren’t just regular modern-day leads, love interests, criminal masterminds, kooky inventors, adorkable young people is a mystery to me.

      Also, I don’t think movies are the best way to explain historical phenomena. Documentaries, books, museums, historical houses – these seem like better ways to learn.

    • jessoutwest says:

      @SCAL, you mean movies like
      About Last Night
      Beyond the Lights
      Brown Sugar
      Live and Basketball
      The Best Man (and yes Best Man Holiday)
      Hell, even Think Like a Man wasn’t too bad

      There are plenty of slice of life movies made with and by blacks that are just as good or better than standard fare.

  11. Tig says:

    I concur with those folks expressing concern with this horrible back story of this director. Imagine how the victim feels now that her attackers are now being hailed as artistic geniuses. I hope she’s able to maintain her privacy (if she wants to), but doubt it. Can’t see me supporting this movie- good luck to the PR team.

    • tracking says:

      My concern is that men who committed this act in the first place won’t hesitate to trash her all over again in an effort to preserve their reputations in light of possible awards recognition. Awful.

  12. Catelina says:

    Homophobia and rape charges aside, I truly don’t understand the ‘oh, not ANOTHER slave movie’ complaint. There are so many stories yet to be told about that era, look how many world war two movies there are.

    And besides, are there really that many movies about slavery? I can only think of a handful of theatrically released ones that got any attention. Especially ones actually directed and/or produced by a black person. There’s room at the table for all kinds of stories to be told.

    • KWM says:

      I think it is just because we are so close to 12 years a slave, that it feels like it is all about slave movies. Because you are correct there are not that many movies and there are so many more stories to tell. If you go back and look at the actors and actresses who won (sadly too short of a list) the majority were for roles not where the actors were slaves.

    • MrsNix says:

      And this movie isn’t necessarily about slavery. Nat Turner’s Rebellion/the Southampton Insurrection is a HUGE historical event. It had waves of effect on almost everything that came after…and many Americans know nothing about it. People outside of America? Forget about it.

      It’s a story that deserves a feature film. It is a story people need to be told outside of the cold brush over it receives in most classrooms. It was just one of many events, so classes on American history in secondary school don’t often spend a lot of time getting detailed on it. But it should be told. Slavery was in full force at that time in American history, and you can’t tell the story without showing the slavery or it would be a lie. They were slaves, and they rebelled against their bondage. We have movies about oppressed people in all parts of the world and their insurrections and resistance. We have movies about Irish insurrections, Scottish insurrections, all kinds of people resisting Roman rule…if I really sat and thought about it, I could list a whole bunch. This is a story about American slaves rebelling and flexing their agency, venting their ire. It deserves a public airing.

      Still. The story is not “just” about slavery necessarily, but it’s a story about what a group of people who were slaves managed to do when they took fury to the power of their day.

  13. Carnivalbaby says:

    These comments here…I used to have fun reading the comments on this website, but the judgementalism is beyond the pale. I get ripping on Cosby, Polansky and Woody Allen, they have years of behaviour that has not changed – and in Polanski’s case he has never faced his accuser., This guy here though…I’m not going to write him off because he did something some years ago. I’m going to mindful, but you know what – anyone who finds a different way to be successful in that rat race called the USA and Hollywood – I will give them a minute. Yes I am not from the US and I live in a society where same sex marriage is not yet legal, and most people are still working out their issues with homosexuality. Everyday I get into arguments defending your country’s decisions – which I believe are right ones – but I won’t write off people because they are taking a minute to come around to my opinion. People commenting here they getting tired or racism- people dealing with that shit everyday – they can’t get jobs, they’re being fired…its the way of the world and you can’t close your eyes to it. No one gets tired of the Jews remembering the Holocaust – but that is real shit because never forgetting means it never happens again – Germany and Japan are still apologizing for that and are seeing to it they never forget so they don’t get back to that point. Grow up ladies. Give the man his success, remember where you have come from and the struggles of your family to get you where you are and have patience with those who are still working to understand the evolution of your thoughts.

    • KWM says:

      Please do a full google search of him, it is not a single incident. His mom sent him to live with an uncle because of his beating up classmates when they live in Maine, his rape at Penn State, his year long harassment of the women, which continued even after she changed her numbers and moved away, his homophobic language in interviews.

    • Alicia says:

      “I’m not going to write him off because he did something some years ago.”

      Yeah, I won’t write off O.J. because he did something some years ago. LOL.

      The dude’s (probably) a rapist. He sucks. End of.

    • Kitten says:

      Oh please. We’re not talking about a man who was *just* accused of rape (because I guess that’s not enough of a reason?) but a man who went OUT OF HIS WAY to harass the victim afterwards. What kind of a person does something like that? Very vindictive and highly misogynistic behavior.

      What’s sad to me is you defending his behavior and calling the rest of us “judgmental” because we refuse to ignore it. pffft.

      • Carnivalbaby says:

        No defending…just not righting him off. Not judging any of you either. Just saying don’t right people off. I don’t know any of you, some of you have taught me alot, helped me come to conclusions on many issues and I admire everyone’s ability here to hold an opinion. Sometimes – yep sometimes – I’ve met people who over time have come to understand that people shouldn’t be judged because they thought homosexuality was wrong. Other times I’ve met people who needed to have long hard conversations with others to understand that rape is not sex. I get what you all are saying, I just have a different opinion. Or am I not allowed that on the internet? Just because American society has come together and agreed that we should revile the man doesn’t mean I’m going to jump on board just so. Damn, you guys might be voting in Donald Trump, I’m going to come to my own conclusion and you can bet your bottom dollar if I do come around I will come back and say so!

      • Kitten says:

        I don’t disagree with the idea that people change or that they can be forgiven, but to me this is a particularly awful chain of events. As I said, rape is bad enough but rapists harassing and stalking their victim AFTER they allegedly raped her is beyond the pale and unforgivable IMO.

      • Bridget says:

        But the issue at hand isn’t just Parker saying stupid stuff; it’s that there is very real evidence that he and a friend raped a woman (don’t forget, the co-producer was convicted). That’s such a serious, heinous crime, and if he has indeed changed the onus is on HIM to atone for it, to try to make up for it. We don’t owe it to him to suspend judgement, rather it’s his responsibility to show that he’s deserving of the benefit of the doubt once again. Rape is just as serious if you only rape 1 woman or if you rape 60.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      If you think rape is “just something he did years ago” then your opinion is not worthy of my consideration, frankly.

      • Mitchie says:

        Thank you for that comment. I was repeatedly raped by my ex husband “years ago”, and to this day, I have panick attacks at the thought of leaving the house, answering the phone or if someone’s at the door. I can’t stand to be touched by anyone. Even being hugged by my children. He now lives a great life fooling everyone that he’s a great person, while I still live in fear.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        I’m so sorry, Mitchie. I hope you find some peace.

  14. AlmondJoy says:

    I was a big fan of his so I’m completely heartbroken to hear about the rape and slut shaming. Totally disgusted.

    • Marty says:

      Yeah, I knew about his past homophobic comments but did not know about the other stuff. Major bummer.

  15. NeoCleo says:

    “Even without the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, Birth of a Nation would have been the kind of film that the Academy loved, because the Academy loves films about slavery. And that’s something that needs to be addressed as well.”

    So true, but baby steps I guess. I’m really looking forward to seeing this–I wonder how long it will take for the backlash to start. ALSO, Nate Parker is cuter than a bug’s ear.

  16. Margo S. says:

    I was just going to say. Of course it has to be about slavery…. I’m confident that will change though. We’ll start to see not only more films featuring people of colour (maybe about typical subjects like slavery) but also just heroic characters not being given to only white men, but also Hispanic, native, Asian and black. It’s exciting to think about all the possibilities and changes coming our way!

  17. J says:

    Just so glad to see a movie, unadulterated by Hollywood’s white savior complex in lead character…REFRESHING. I tried to find a complete account of what people are referring too as a criminal past, because more often than not, when a Black man is accused of anything…I have a lot of questions. We have a strong history of being railroaded, lied too and lied upon, if you haven’t heard.

    • Kitten says:

      Yes and women of all colors have a history of not being believed when they say that they were raped.

      Nice to see that some of you are carrying on the tradition.

    • SBS says:

      Even if (IF and that’s a very big IF) he didn’t rape her, there are court documents (go to the Awards Watch forum and look for the Birth of a nation thread and you’ll find them) that list the horrible things they did to her.

      • j says:

        I am never surprised at the extent to which people of a certain color have been persecuted, so it’s not a far reach or leap of faith for me, to believe that a Black man has been wrongly accused or convicted even. Not a stretch at all.

        There are many in jail today, though not guilty, not afforded the same due process, merely based on color. Not just the stories that make it to mainstream media either. If I was wrongly accused I would also use every tool within my personal power to prove my accuser wrong. I would not be sensitive or apprehensive about my freedom. The system does not, at all times, work for us. We have to be our own defense and investigators. I truly don’t believe anything the “white man” says to be completely honest with you. Too many lies been told, too many lies…(in my slave voice)

        They tried to convince my people that we are ugly and undeserving. We don’t believe you. #farBeyondAnOscar

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Right, j. Women have been raped and beaten by men for centuries, but we’re really lucky because WHENEVER we report it, it’s taken SO seriously by all concerned. We have NO idea what it’s like to have our word questioned like poor, sad little you.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Pathetic. That’s your takeaway from reading about the rape and the harassment? Self pity? Ugh.

      • Jenny says:

        I can see where people are saying that these threads have become increasingly judge mental over the years. What once was a conversation has now become browbeating and insults.

        This is particularly disappointing:
        “Pathetic. That’s your takeaway from reading about the rape and the harassment? Self pity? Ugh”

        No, of course that was not the OP’s takeaway. It was that in the prosecution and persecution of black men she tends to reserve judgement because of the inherent injustice of the American Criminal “Justice” System. We all should know that is what she was talking about and there is a disturbingly long history of black men being railroaded by accusations of rape in this country. None of us sat on that jury or know all the facts and the man was acquitted; how is it a crime to not condemn him or reserve judgement?

      • Sixer says:

        Hi Jenny

        Um… sometimes, what looks like browbeating and insults is in fact an emotional response coming from very personal reasons. This thought may be worth your consideration right here.

        However, I completely understand why people would want to reserve judgement for all the reasons you state.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        @Jenny
        I take it you have never been sexually assaulted. Held against your will. Touched without your permission. Hurt. Frightened, humiliated, degraded and shamed? Because if you had, I think you wouldn’t be so “judge mental.” It sends me into a rage when people think that women just love to put themselves through the treat of railroading a man into jail for a rape he didn’t commit. Because I think that happens almost never. In fact, the vast majority of rapes go unpunished. Because women aren’t believed. I don’t care what the excuse is. Instead of standing up for the benefit of the doubt for this man, who not only raped a woman but then systematically tried to harass and frighten and shame her further for speaking up, why don’t you have some compassion for HER?

    • KWM says:

      I now I should not waste my breathe on this but seriously. Please read up on the case. Read about how after she presses charges Nate not his BFF was the main person intimidating her, read how she was at Penn State on academic based scholarships and how Nate would stand outside her campus housing so she could not go to class. When she could make it to class he would show up in the same building. Read about the PI he hired to dig up dirt on her, that she was asking for it, because we all know since they hooked up the day before, she did not have to give consent anymore. Read about how after she moved he still showed up at her new address. Read about how she tried to kill herself twice. How the condition of his bail was he have no contact with her, avoid her residence, read how he did the opposite and when school and authorities were informed of this they did nothing, because they needed him back on the wrestling team.

      Poor Nate this poor man has to live with this his whole life, because we all know rape victims just bounce back with no lasting mental health issues.

      And honest question since we do not know her ethnicity would it make a difference to you if she is black?

      • Jenny says:

        I have read up on the case; I read the papers filed by the young lady’s attorney and the charges are ghastly. I honestly do not know enough about the settlement the University made to judge the complete veracity of those claims.

        My point was not made to defend or accuse Parker, but to defend people’s ability to have a difference of opinion without being considered pathetic or being dismissed by having your post twisted into something you clearly did not say because you disagree with one of the big wig posters on this site. It’s a freaking gossip blog man; why stoop to petty insults because someone on a gossip site disagrees with your take on something? I don’t remember people being so grumpy and judgemental here 4 or 5 years ago. That’s why I barely post anymore: I don’t want to get internet yelled at by the opinion police because they’ve cornered the market on knowledge, judgement and reason.

      • Kitten says:

        I just spent too much time at work reading about it and it is nauseating.

        @Jenny-People have an emotional reaction when it comes to certain subjects-rape, racism, homophobia, etc. I agree that it can be a bit much around here at times, but I don’t think this thread is an example of that.

        This isn’t really an opinion-based issue, you know? We’re not arguing about whether Affleck banged his nanny or not, we’re talking about a victim who was raped, harassed and stalked by her perpetrators, and a system that essentially covered it up while giving these guys a slap on the wrist.

        People get angry and emotional because a lot of us are sick of seeing sh*t like this.

        Also, it’s entirely possible to acknowledge the sad reality that black men have all-too-often been wrongfully accused and also acknowledge that this is not an example of that.
        One of these men was barely punished and the other one not at all. Meanwhile, rape is a life sentence for victims in terms of the emotional trauma, trust issues, fearfulness, lack of self-worth, and all the other permanent scars that are caused after enduring something so terrible.

      • Jenny says:

        Kitten,

        I completely understand that there are subjects where there really is no compromising. Women who have been raped have often been victimized by the system, particularly at universities and I think that is an absolute tragedy. However, I can also relate to the idea that black men have been railroaded by those same charges and I do not pretend to be more well versed in this particular case than an Internet search and some court docs and articles, but I bristled at the suggestion that it was pathetic for someone to question the veracity of the charge of rape against a black man based on the systemic injustice in these types of cases, particularly if he was aquitted of the crime.

      • Kitten says:

        Ok Jenny, I understand exactly where you’re coming from.

        Also semi-related to this topic: if anybody is interested in watching a prime example of PoCs being unjustly convicted, watch last week’s Dateline about Eric Glisson and the Bronx 6. I have to warn y’all that it’s a tear-jerker but the strength of those five men and one woman is remarkable, incredibly moving and inspiring, and completely heart-breaking. It’s worth watching but keep the tissue box nearby.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        @Jenny
        Go ahead and bristle. I bristle at that woman being forced to have sex against her will. I hear her screams that nobody answered and I feel her tears on my face. Then I read that historically, women lie about rape. And see it compared to black people not winning academy awards, as if those two things were anywhere on the same plane. This is not about race. It’s about the lies that are told by people like j to excuse centuries of rape.

      • Colette says:

        And his BFF co wrote the film.

  18. Cali says:

    Shocking, another SLAVE movie, how unique.

  19. poppy says:

    not sure about the slavery story fatigue.
    yes, diversity needs to spread throughout all the different stories told in film. although slavery is a difficult subject to watch, as is any torture, these stories deserve to be told, need to be told. MUST be told.

    unfortunate that this man seems to be a bad apple. disgusting behavior. he should be ashamed of himself and deserves to be shamed.

    her story deserves to be heard as well and that isn’t an easy watch either. what? another rape movie? they already passed out an Oscar for that! enough?!?!? Wtf.

    these accounts are necessary for victims because their voices are important, their stories matter. they deserve to be validated and heard.

    slavery still exists, so obviously there hasn’t been enough said yet. same with all of the other atrocities we commit against each other. if every comic book gets a franchise then there is plenty of room (and money) for these kinds of stories.
    maybe if enough of these difficult stories are told we can as a society finally realize and take action to make better outcomes for victims.

    • Bridget says:

      The issue isn’t that these stories aren’t worthy of being told, it’s that they make up such a huge proportion of the movies made that feature black actors and are considered award worthy. Slavery, segregation, poverty – while there are of course exceptions (if you’re named Denzel or Will) those types of roles dominate the category.

    • KWM says:

      I just read an article that there are more people enslaved now in this century then ever before. If anyone is interested on the subject google human trafficking nail salons and massage parlors. One of the busiest weekends for sex trafficking is coming up, Superbowl Weekend. So while everyone is watching the show, just remember that children and women will be sold multiple times to the scum of the scum of the earth in San Francisco.

  20. Bridget says:

    The part that surprises me the most about Parker being embroiled in a rape case himself is the fact that I’ve seen it stated that one of the most powerful parts of Birth Of A Nation is the rape of Gabrielle Union’s character (fortunately not shown), and she’s talked about how sensitive everyone on set was to the whole experience.

  21. jessoutwest says:

    Wait, so he was acquitted and his co-producer’s conviction was overturned due to inadequate representation, but they are both worthy of eternal blacklisting? Did this board not just see Making a Murderer? See the aftermath of the Rolling Stone UVA coverage? Duke LaCross? Now before people jump all over this and call me a rape apologist, I’m not saying this is a false reporting case, just that there may be a few facts Google doesn’t just throw out at you.

    • Mitchie says:

      I don’t enjoy talking about this, but I feel I have to educate being a victim of rape and how it is treated. I told my story to the police, which goes beyond just being raped repeatedly, but I was constantly asked if he hit me. He never did, he didn’t have to. He knew he already stripped me of my dignity, my self worth and who I used to be. Having to go through that humiliation of telling my story, I was told that they believed me, but due to lack of evidence, he won’t be charged. I know I’m not the only one who has been told this, and I know the number is countless. This is why we remain silent. The hardest part is telling someone. To be made to feel like you don’t matter, is just like the rape. There is no difference.

    • amunet ma'at says:

      I agreed with your sentiments. I think it warrants real look. I am happy that the story of Nat Turner is being told. I am tired of slave films. The African Diaspora has a long history beginning way before slavery. Unless there is more than the snarky review provided in this board by another poster is the only source, I did not read his comment as “homophobic”. Basically he said he didn’t want to play any roles as a gay black man because he wants to represent another type of images as a black man, that black men are often offered stereotypical gay roles or requested to wear a dress. Anyway this message is not hate-filled, he offers no disparaging remarks towards homosexuals or puts down or disrespects homosexuals. He only mentions that he doesn’t want to play that type of role on film.

      • Mitchie says:

        Thank you for demeaning something that was extremely hard to discuss.

      • amunet ma'at says:

        @Mitchie I wasn’t even talking to you. I don’t know about you or your walk in this life. Good luck with your journey. I was responding to @jessoutwest b/c this was the reply to their statement. If I was going to reply to you within some else’s post I would have called you out using your handle. May peace be unto you.

      • Mitchie says:

        I’m truly sorry. It showed as a response to my post. I just wanted to educate on the process of what a rape victim goes through. Reading comments about being acquitted at what not, I felt a need to tell what actually happens in these cases. And like my case, like many others, it doesn’t even reach the court system. That doesn’t me I wasn’t raped or many others. It just makes us feel like we never mattered.

  22. Siearra says:

    During the trial, inconsistencies in the woman’s story emerged, and she admitted to having had consensual sex with Parker the day before the alleged rape. Parker was acquitted in 2001. His teammate was initially convicted, but later had the conviction overturned.

    • amunet ma'at says:

      Life is a polarity. Whenever I think of cases like this it reminds of my situations like the Brian Banks case. We need to look at these situations with a measure.

    • Kitten says:

      Are we really doing this? She admitted to having consensual sex with Parker before, therefor he couldn’t have raped her? What’s the excuse for all the harassment afterwards? I’m waiting for it. Let me guess: she made all of that up, right?

      • amunet ma'at says:

        @Kitten I think the OP is saying we need to proceed with caution. That just because someone makes a charge that does not mean we should automatically condemn the defendant. I can see how looking at this through a culturally historical lens may cause some to perceive the information differently. Personally, I can’t speak about the harassment b/c I did not read about it to form my own opinion on the matter, so I am speaking universally. I do believe we have the maturity to view this situation with nuance and not a sledgehammer.

  23. lolo says:

    When my boyfriend said “I really want to see Birth of a Nation” I was like… ” Well, I guess it was an important film in cinematic history, but it’s super racist.”
    I was really confused because I thought he meant this film https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation