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The Birth of a Nation – Review (Toronto International Film Festival)

Before the Toronto International Film Festival started up on September 8, there were questions about whether or not Birth of a Nation would screen for audiences because of Parker’s past; in the end, the movie did, but journalists were instructed not to ask questions about the rape accusations or deviate from the movie’s content when interviewing the cast.

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Nate Parker on Sunday chose not to directly address the college rape allegations overshadowing his film, The Birth of a Nation, at the Toronto Film Festival.

“I’m sure I’ll address it in different forums”, he said.

Ownership of the critically acclaimed Nat Turner biopic has been a thorny issue in recent months for Parker and Fox Searchlight, which bought the buzzy The Birth of a Nation in a pricey acquisition at Sundance with eyes on the Academy Awards-only to find the film’s awards hopes and commercial prospects jeopardized by the resurfacing of the sexual assault Parker was accused and acquitted of almost two decades ago as a college student.

Celestin was convicted of sexual assault, but Parker was acquitted. “And here we are, and you’re here”, Parker replied. “And I think it would be a shame if people didn’t get to see this movie and judge for themselves and form their opinion”. It’s not mine, I don’t own it. “But my personal discomfort is nothing compared to being a voice for people who are completely voiceless and powerless”.

She has been outspoken about her discomfiture with Parker’s personal history but said it mustn’t be allowed to override the movie’s essential civil rights message, when the film is put into wide release, scheduled for October 7.

The festival stood by Birth of a Nation, festival director and chief executive Piers Handling told Reuters on Thursday, adding that he hoped more filmmakers of colour come forward with similar stories.

Parker, along with his co-stars, including Gabrielle Union and Armie Hammer, will also be featured at a panel discussion Sunday at the Canadian film festival. However, Parker answered reporters’ questions after all.

In an interview with Variety last month, Parker said, “17 years ago, I experienced a very painful moment in my life”.

In an August 12 interview with Variety, Parker said, “Seventeen years ago, I experienced a very painful moment in my life”.

On Saturday, a junket interview with CBC News was terminated when the reporter asked Parker whether Fox Searchlight had altered its strategy in the wake of the controversy. “I would encourage everyone to remember, personal life aside, I’m just one person and the way we ran our set, there was no hierarchy”. “I think we’re all craving acknowledgement that we’re real, that we exist, that we live among you, that we are your mothers, your brothers, your sisters”, she said of herself and other survivors of sexual violence. Now, according to Vulture, she recently responded to those who haven’t totally heard or understood what she had to say.

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Film lovers and industry insiders have been waiting with bated breath to see how The Birth of a Nation would go over at the Toronto Film Festival.

Nate Parker's Birth of a Nation gets standing ovation despite rape controversy