'Birth Of A Nation' Already Looks Incredible

Out of all the dramatic and chilling films that premiered at Sundance earlier this year, none reached the same acclaim and praise as Birth of a Nation. The powerful film — written, directed, produced, and starring Nate Parker — set in 1831 Southern Virginia, follows Nat Turner, a literate slave who undertakes an agreement with his master, Samuel Turner (played by Armie Hammer) to become a travelling preacher to his fellow "unmanageable" slaves. However, after Nat witnesses numerous monstrosities in the reality of his time, he rises as the leader of the most violent and bloodiest slave rebellion in American history to liberate his people to freedom. Though audiences have to wait six months to experience the powerful film in its entirety, Fox Searchlight released the ghastly first Birth of a Nation trailer on Friday, and, unsurprisingly, the film is already generating Oscar buzz.

Brilliantly, the trailer alone succeeds in capturing the ongoing black struggle for justice and equality in America. I felt tears well in my eyes and the hairs on the back of my neck rise when Nat yells “Submit yourselves to your masters with all respect,” as tears stream down his face in a snippet of the artful trailer. Accompanying a Nina Simone cover of Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," the film's first look captures mounting pain, empathy, and morality in just one minute. It's clear to see that the team that brought us 12 Years a Slave knows what they are doing. The film is sure to be a lightning rod once released in October, just in time for Oscar season. Coincidence? I think not.

“While we have seen films dealing with the period of slavery through themes of endurance and resilience, we have rarely seen those dealing with resistance and self-determination from the position of the enslaved,” Parker said in an interview with Filmmaker. “It is through this angle I hope audiences will continue to engage; having their eyes further opened regarding both those who endured and those who resisted.”

Back in January, Fox Searchlight acquired Parker's film for a hefty price tag of $17.5 million — the biggest Sundance deal in history — and Parker himself went on to win this year’s CinemaCon breakthrough director award. Not to mention, the film received rave audience and critic reviews, as well as, the grand jury prize and audience award at the Sundance festival. Clearly, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that the film's legacy will continue to live on until it hits theatres. Until then, check out the captivating trailer yourself above.

Images: Fox Searchlight Pictures