Nate Parker discusses The Birth of a Nation

October 9, 2016

A DGA Q&A in Los Angeles

A slave leads a historic rebellion in Director Nate Parker’s biographical drama, The Birth of a Nation.

Parker’s film tells the incredible true story of Nat Turner (also played by Parker), a slave on a Virginia plantation in the early 1800s. Nat is taught to read so he can study the Bible and preach obedience and mollification to subdue other slaves. But when his owner takes him across the country on a preaching tour in order to profit from his sermons, Nat witnesses atrocities that cause him to orchestrate an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.

Following the October 9 DGA membership screening in Los Angeles, Parker sat down with Director Jeffrey W. Byrd (A Beautiful Soul), to discuss the making of The Birth of a Nation.

The Birth of a Nation is Parker’s feature directorial debut. His other directing credits are the short films #AmeriCan and J.A.W. Parker became a DGA member in 2015.

You can listen to Parker's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find all DGA podcast episodes here.

Pictures

Event photos by Byron Gamarro - print courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

View slideshow

Director Nate Parker speaks about the making of The Birth of a Nation following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Nate Parker as Nat Turner in The Birth of a Nation.

Director Nate Parker (right) discusses the making of The Birth of a Nation with Director Jeffrey W. Byrd (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

An image from Director Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation.

Director Jeffrey W. Byrd (moderator) asks Nate Parker a question about the making of The Birth of a Nation.

Actors Colman Domingo and Parker in Director Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation.

Directors Jeffrey W. Byrd (moderator) and Nate Parker pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Parker’s The Birth of a Nation .

Nat Turner leads a historic slave rebellion in Director Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation.

Director Nate Parker chats with members of the audience following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of his new drama, The Birth of a Nation .

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8/16/2025 - 8/22/2025