Opening this weekend in theaters everywhere isThe Birth of a Nation. The passion project of co-writer/director/producer/starNate Parkeris a historical drama chronicling the life ofNat Turner, a literate slave and preacher who was used to “pacify” other slaves in neighboring plantations via his sermons, and who subsequently led a bloody uprising that had reverberations throughout the country. The movie also starsArmie Hammer,Aja Naomi King,Penelope Ann Miller,Aunjane Ellis,Jackie Earle Haley,Mark Boone Jr,Colman Domingo,Dwight Henry,Esther Scott,Roger Guenveur Smith, andGabrielle Union. For more on The Birth of a Nationwatch the trailerandread Matt’s review.
Shortly after the film played at the Toronto International Film Festival I landed an exclusive interview with Armie Hammer (who plays Nat Turner’s owner and childhood friend). He talked about what it was like on set filming such dramatic events, working with Nate Parker, how much he knew about Nat Turner’s story before getting involved in the project, and premieringBen Wheatley’sFree Fireat TIFF. Check out the interview above and below is the official synopsis and some images and the poster.
Here’s the synopsis:
Set against the antebellum South 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.
