The film with probably the most buzz coming out of the Sundance Film Festival this year was “The Birth of a Nation,” a slave rebellion movie based on true events. Set in the South in the 1800s, the story follows Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave who was encouraged to study the Bible and become a preacher to his fellow slaves. Turner’s master, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), soon accepts payment to let Nat preach throughout the county. White slave owners intend for Nat to subdue their unruly slaves. But when Nat witnesses countless atrocities against his fellow men, he devises a plan to lead his people to freedom.
Nate Parker not only starred in the film – he wrote and directed it. It took him seven years to develop the movie and secure funding. But his long-term dedication paid off. “The Birth of a Nation” premiered to standing ovations at the festival. The film won both the U.S. Grand Jury and Audience awards at Sundance. And it secured a lucrative distribution deal. Fox Searchlight bought the movie for $17.5 million – the largest purchase in Sundance history.
The movie co-stars Aja Naomi King (“How to Get Away with Murder”) as Nat Turner’s wife, and Penelope Ann Miller as Samuel Turner’s mother, who teaches young Nat to read – an illegal action at the time. Gabrielle Union also makes an appearance as a young slave.
SpoilerTV’s Tonya Papanikolas attended the Sundance premiere of the film, where she got a chance to talk to numerous cast members, including Gabrielle Union, Aja Naomi King, Armie Hammer and Penelope Ann Miller. Check out her interviews below.
