Understanding How Film Impacts the Real World:
Using The Birth of a Nation as an Example
This aired in CA @11p last night so I recorded it. Very glad I did so. Film students are aware of Griffith's additions to film language, but I don't think as many are fully aware of what he did to elevate film to consideration as an art form or his fight in Boston for protection of the first amendment for 'Birth of a Nation.' He did much for film but his crowning achievement did far more harm to o...ur nation.
Unfortunately, many film history classes can't spend anywhere near enough time on the social and political impact of this film on our culture, the rebirth of the KKK, or even its overt racism. This is incredibly difficult for any person of color in those classes because they are told not to see that aspect and to focus only on the film language. I believe it is easier for white people to view the film with the understanding that it was created in a different time, that is part of our privilege.
'Birth of a Movement' takes us through those missed discussions. They set up a protagonist in the newspaper man, William Trotter, with the antagonist, D.W. Griffith and his film 'Birth of a Nation.' Trotter laid ground work that Civil Rights Movement would use fifty years later. The message I heard loudest is that the men in this story were children of the reconstruction with very different views of that period of our history.
I think if we look at our government right now, you will see that most of our leaders are children of the Civil Rights Movement. Some are truly afraid of equality just as their predecessors were afraid of civil rights. Trump will be judged by his racist and misogynistic views just as Wilson was for bring segregation to the federal government.
I really think that avoiding the social, political, and economic ramifications of 'Birth of a Nation' is a disservice to all film students. It doesn't address the very real effects of how film impacts our world. We have the opportunity to use this 1 hour discussion to begin a new conversation in film schools and amongst ourselves. As filmmakers we have incredible power to change perceptions.
Unfortunately, many film history classes can't spend anywhere near enough time on the social and political impact of this film on our culture, the rebirth of the KKK, or even its overt racism. This is incredibly difficult for any person of color in those classes because they are told not to see that aspect and to focus only on the film language. I believe it is easier for white people to view the film with the understanding that it was created in a different time, that is part of our privilege.
'Birth of a Movement' takes us through those missed discussions. They set up a protagonist in the newspaper man, William Trotter, with the antagonist, D.W. Griffith and his film 'Birth of a Nation.' Trotter laid ground work that Civil Rights Movement would use fifty years later. The message I heard loudest is that the men in this story were children of the reconstruction with very different views of that period of our history.
I think if we look at our government right now, you will see that most of our leaders are children of the Civil Rights Movement. Some are truly afraid of equality just as their predecessors were afraid of civil rights. Trump will be judged by his racist and misogynistic views just as Wilson was for bring segregation to the federal government.
I really think that avoiding the social, political, and economic ramifications of 'Birth of a Nation' is a disservice to all film students. It doesn't address the very real effects of how film impacts our world. We have the opportunity to use this 1 hour discussion to begin a new conversation in film schools and amongst ourselves. As filmmakers we have incredible power to change perceptions.
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