Birth of a Nation bought for record sum at Sundance because Fox has clearly been following the headlines
Sony, Lionsgate, Netflix, Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros all bid
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The timing couldn’t have been better. As the Academy continued to try and extricate itself from the Oscars diversity furore this week, a film premiered at Sundance Film Festival made by a black director, centring on a slave rebellion and setting the record straight on a notoriously racist 1915 film of the same name.
Birth of a Nation received a standing ovation from the audience, drawing comparisons to both 12 Years a Slave and Schindler’s List, and unsurprisingly there was an absolute scramble among the studios to bid for it shortly after.
Sony, Universal, TWC, Netflix, Warner Bros, Paramount and Lionsgate were all involved, according to Deadline, with The Weinstein Company kicking things off in the mid-eight figures.
Netflix then reportedly went big with a $20 million bid, but ultimately Fox Searchlight nabbed the movie for a record $17.5 million, having previously guided 12 Years A Slave to Oscars victory. All apparently believed the film to have ‘true awards potential’.
Directed by and starring newcomer Nate Parker (who also produced and wrote the screenplay), Birth of a Nation centres on Nat Turner, a former slave who leads a liberation movement in 1831 to free African Americans in Virginia.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments