Image Souces: Trailer Addict and Varitey
Last weekend, two films in the afrocentric varitey were releases in theaters nationwide. One being the story of Nat Turner's rebellion, Birth of a Nation (not to be confused with the racially-offensive D.W. Wright film from 1915), and the other is the Halloween-theme comedy in Tyler Perry's Madea franchise, BOO! A Madea Halloween. After thats weekend, both films were in the subject of controversy not in the way of the separate themes in each respective film, but rather each movie's audience and box office earnings.
According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, Birth of a Nation debuted at #6 on its first weekend at the box office earning $9.5 million. Three weeks later, Boo! A Madea Halloween top the box office on its opening weekend with $35.3 million while Birth of a Nation fell way behind at #15 earning only $1.26 million with the total earnings at $13.5 million, making the film a flop. Despite recieving critical praise from Justin Chang from Variety and a 74% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes, the mixed critical reception was part of why Birth of a Nation bombed. During the first three weeks of its theatrical run, Nate Parker, who starred as well written, produced and directed the film based on the 1831 rebellion in Southhampton County, VA, was in the center of controversy. Parker was confronted during an interview on 60 Minutes with allegation of a rape that dates back to 1999, while attending Penn State University at the time. Despite being exonerated at court in 2001, the damage was done and was removed from the Penn State wrestling team a year later. After the 60 Minutes interview, The Washington Post reported that the film's poor box office run was a result of the interview that lead to boycotts, several theaters dropping the film, and co-star Gabriel Union, who was a rape survivor herself, told the New York Times that she cannot take Parker's allegation lightly and "can't sell the film." While, Parker's rape allegations reflected Birth of a Nation's failure at the box office, Pro-Black members blamed the Black Community for not supporting the Nate Parker film and see the Madea Halloween movie instead. Even Pro-Black memes, like the ones below, belittling the Black Community for seeing one film and not the other.
Even an article from The Black Loop slams Black movie goers for falling for the "distractions" like the N.W.A. film Straight Outta Compton. Recently, Devon Starshooterz Walls shoot a live video where he came to a Regal Cinema to see Birth of a Nation, but could not because the showing was "sold out." During the live-feed, Walls pointed out the some theaters to not screen the Nat Turner movie is also the problem.
"Sold out" my ass! But I digress... Regal Cinema's came under fire for not screening Birth of a Nation according to a TMZ.com article which also features Walls' live Facebook video.
As a black man myself, I understand the importance of bringing the story of Nat Turner's rebellion to the mainstream media, but at the same time that and most "historical" films are often fictionalize in a way to get the audience's attention. As for Nate Parker's 17 year old rape case, I'm not going give my option on it. I have my reasons for not seeing both films which leads me to ask two questions: "Why see another Tyler Perry film that, for once receives so much commercialism that overshadows what made the original stage plays great?" And "why spend $10 or more to watch a fictionalized 'historical' movie about Nat Turner when you can read or resource the accurate facts about his rebellion at the library for free?" Think about it.
While I enjoy a few "Madea" films, that is just here or there. Most of Perry's films that feature his trademarked character showcased American Americans or those of African decent in a negative light. While I consider seeing Birth of a Nation myself, I grew tired of films about slavery because so many has been releases in the last 15 or 20 years to a point it becomes a sub-genre. It's better to stay away from the escapism of going to the movies and stay in tune with the real world. Black America is already living in dark times, especially with the unjust killings of Black men, women and children in the hands of the Police and citizens who use "standing their ground" as an excuse. Stay true to yourself and know your history. Now I'm saying you shouldn't see nether films and whatever and however you think of those movies is entirely up to you, just that there are other things to worry about in this crazy world we live in . Have you seen Birth of a Nation, Boo! A Madea Halloween, or both? What do you think of the films and my options in this blog? Let me know in the comments. Until next time, keep it lock!
1 Comment
Unclewich
10/31/2016 10:16:53 pm
I don't really know about the whole "black-ballin' black movies" tirade, but it is a curious situation. I don't plan on seeing either in cinema, but i'll probably end up watching "Birth of a Nation" after it's had it's run...
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