Fox Searchlight
Fox Searchlight

I must tip my hat to the marketing team at Fox Searchlight for the work they’ve done on Nate Parker’s much-anticipated “The Birth of a Nation” thus far. Every teaser, trailer and poster has been quite strong in terms of each use of images (or moving images and sound), and definitely memorable.



This second poster (above), released today, does not disappoint. I’m moved by its audacious, in-your-face nature and the statement it makes, with the American flag acting as a noose around Nat Turner’s – and one could essentially say, Black America’s – neck, especially in light of current events. I’m sure it’ll elicit intense reactions across the nation.


[UPDATE: Several folks on Twitter pointed out to me that the above poster is inspired by Philly artist Laurie Cooper’s “Black Man in America” – a print you can see below. The “Birth of a Nation” Twitter account acknowledged it this morning as well, with a tweet]

"Black Man In America" - by Laurie Cooper
“Black Man In America” – by Laurie Cooper

Parker wrote, directed and also stars in the film, playing Nat Turner.

The official synopsis reads: Set against the antebellum South, this story follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. After witnessing countless atrocities against fellow slaves, Nat devises a plan to lead his people to freedom.

Joining Parker in front of the camera are Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Gabrielle Union, Mark Boone Jr. and others.

Fox Searchlight has set an October 7, 2016 release date for “Birth” which is a film that’s on my 2017 Oscar predictions list.

The previously-released soul-stirring full trailer follows below if you missed it (underneath it you’ll find the motion poster, also released previously, and the first poster):



The Birth of a Nation