I HATE SLAVE MOVIES| Ep.2| Birth of a Nation (2016)

SPOILER HATED IT

I watched Birth of a Nation (2016) so you didn’t have to. Here is my short and to-the-point review. (If you are interested in watching me react to any of these movies, subscribe to the paid tier of the Substack: $5.00 a month, $50.00 for the year.)

Rating: 4/10

Explain Rating:

I feel like there is such a tired formula when it comes to slave movies. I think that is why I used to avoid them like the plague. A lot of the time, they lean into the “Exceptional/Magical Negro” line of thought, and unfortunately, even though some stories involving this trope can be heartwarming, it is propaganda.

The original idea was interesting—subverting the racist 1915 version at a time of Black radicalization could have started a movement or even just a conversation. But the unique concept was only skin-deep, I fear. Lazy writing and the almost purposeful act of forgoing interesting plot points to chase down old, dusty propaganda plot points pissed me off.

Like, Nat Turner’s Rebellion is incredibly powerful history; why are we left with this flimsy representation of it?

BOOOOO!!

Not to mention the fact that there were such insane allegations about the writer and director of this movie….chillleeeeeee