Nate Parker is the brilliant mind and talent behind ‘Birth of a Nation’. He wrote, directed and starred in the most talked about film of the Sundance Film Festival. In fact, Parker’s film set a sales record for the event.

The film is based on one of Parker’s heroes, Nat Turner. Turner lead one of the most successful ‘slave’ revolts in the history of the country. Parker felt it was important this story be told and that it be told now. His timing couldn’t have been better.

The buzz and interest surrounding this film is tremendous. And the strong entrance of video streaming services like Netflix and Amazon has raised the stakes for big studios when it comes to buying Sundance films for worldwide release. They are bring real interest and money to the table.

At the end of the day, Fox Searchlight beat out everyone bidding for the worldwide distribution rights to ‘Birth of a Nation’ for $17.5 million dollars. this about seven times more than any other film that received a purchase at the event.

According to the Hollywood Reporter: When the film premiered Monday at Eccles theater, there was a standing ovation that lasted throughout the entire credits. It continued as Parker, who also produced the film, took the stage for the Q&A.

“I made this film for one reason, with the hope of creating change agents. That people can watch this film and be affected. That you can watch this film and see that there were systems that were in place that were corrupt and corrupted people and the legacy of that still lives with us,” said Parker to the audience. “I just want you, if you are affected and you are so moved, to ask yourself, ‘Are there systems in my life that need attention whether it be racial, gender?’ There are a lot of injustices.”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/glramxl