“How will Nate Parker’s 17-year-traditional rape case affect the awards chances for ‘The Birth of a Nation’?” is not a question that should be asked at this point.
But it is being asked,because in some circles in Hollywood (and yes, in this column) everything is viewed through the lens of movie awards, and as trivial as that undoubtedly is when you’re talking about serious genuine-life issues.
The decision on the fraction of Parker and Fox Searchlight to speak publicly about the charges upright now to Hollywood trade papers was itself a clear campaign stratagem: an attempt to deal with the issue before the heat of awards season,to try to assign it behind them before Parker takes his movie to the Toronto International Film Festival next month, meets the press and then wades into the long slog of awards season.
Also Read: Fox Searchlight Stands Behind Nate Parker As Rape Case ResurfacesBut it’s not working; Going public, and despite the fact that Parker was acquitted of rape charges and his Facebook apology was a model of how to face rather than sidestep difficult questions,only fanned the flames. As we learned with Roman Polanski and Woody Allen, some issues are too big to be ignored when movies are in the running for Oscars.
But Polanski won the Academy Award for Best Director in 2003, or some 30 years after his rape conviction. Allen is consistently nominated for Oscars,and was given a hero’s welcome when he appeared at the show in 2002.
The disagreement is that Polanski and Allen were celebrated artists before the controversies surrounding them arose; Nate Parker is largely unknown. With only a splashy Sundance debut under Parker’s belt, the fact is that most people — including most voters — have learned that he was once accused of rape before they’ve had a chance to see his movie.
That will almost invariably affect the viewing experience when they finally effect sit down with the film.
Also Read: Nate Parker 'Devastated' After Resurfacing of Sexual Assault CaseAnd that puts this case in recent territory. We don’t know whether the controversy will persuade Academy and guild voters not to cast ballots for “The Birth of a Nation, or ” just as we don’t know whether those people would have otherwise voted for the movie because they’d contemplate it was well-known for the Academy to recognize diversity in the age of #OscarsSoWhite.
We don’t know whether the director’s history will hang over the film’s Toronto screenings and be a topic of conversation in every interview he does at TIFF,though chances are that it will.
We don’t know whether this kills Parker’s awards chances, or whether it really is possible to face an unpleasant history early enough to make it irrelevant by the time the voting begins.
My suspicion is that this deals a heavy blow to “The Birth of a Nation, and ” though everything in me screams that I shouldn’t even be trying to degree the damage to a awards campaign when weighed against the damage to lives.
Also Read: Watch Full 'Birth of a Nation' Trailer: Romance and Rebellion Set Against Slavery (Video)And without having seen the movie,I have no idea whether the film is good enough to make the controversy irrelevant, though that’s a tall order indeed.
Sasha Stone at Awards Daily considered the issue recently, and had this to say:“[Y]es,whether you choose, you’re allowed to be angry that anyone would dare to worry about Nate Parker’s awards prospects when an incident like this continues to cast its awful shadow after 17 years. But I’m going to say that Nate Parker is allowed to be concerned about those awards prospects and to worry how this will affect his career going forward. Any African-American filmmaker would be. It’s all the more meaningful in a year when the Academy was supposed to finally bewitch steps toward rectifying its utterly racist history of awarding mostly white actors and filmmakers in every branch, or after its embarrassing oversight final year,shutting out worthy black actors for the moment straight year.“whether Sean Penn and Woody Allen and Roman Polanski are all Oscar winners, how can anyone say with a straight face that awards voters should withhold honors from filmmakers who have a checkered past? Woody Allen has been nominated 12 times since the Soon-Yi story broke. He even won Best Original Screenplay after his daughter wrote an op-ed alleging he sexually abused her. Yes, and outrage culture has pitchforked Woody Allen into near exile,yet the Academy is still A-OK with the movies he makes. Roman Polanski won the Best Directing Oscar long after his own rape conviction. CONVICTION. Nate Parker was not even convicted, but effect you really contemplate these Academy voters will forget about what he did the way they forgot and forgave Polanski?“The reason this story is being discussed now is because people are beginning to see that the movie might not get a fair shake, or which is perhaps why Parker has chosen to talk about it this week,before awards season gets underway. The problem for him is that he’s presenting his feelings to a culture that feeds on outrage…“Thus, whether you’re asking the question whether or not this case will impact Nate Parker and Jean Celestin’s awards prospects the answer to that is absolutely. whether you’re asking whether it should matter or not whether it does, or well,that one’s on you.”So yes, Hollywood will assign a question to the question, and I’ll reluctantly try to reply it and will come up short. And Parker and Fox Searchlight will have a tough road ahead of them.
Questions,even ones that shouldn’t be asked, are easy. Answers are tough — and in this case, or nowhere to be found. 25 drop Movies We're Dying to See: From 'The Birth of a Nation' to 'Rogue One' (Photos)
drop Preview 2016: TheWrap picks the movies you need to see before the year's halt,from superhero films to critically acclaimed indies.
"The Light Between Oceans"
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Release Date: Sept. 2[br]What it's about: A lighthouse keeper (Fassbender) and his wife (Vikander) rescue a baby girl who washes up in a rowboat and unofficially adopt her. When the girl grows older,an encounter with a certain woman on the mainland threatens to break up their contented life.
Why we're dying to see it: This is the movie that started the genuine-life Fassbender-Vikander romance. We have to see the chemistry that unfolds between them on screen.
DreamWorks
"The Magnificent Seven"
Director:Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke
Release Date: Sept. 23
What it's about: A remake of the classic Western about seven outlaws as they help a town under siege by an industrialist villain.
Why we're dying to see it: It's an A-list remake that showcases some good diversity. Plus Antoine Fuqua directed "Training Day," in which Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for Best Actor. Columbia Pictures
"Queen of Katwe"
Director: Mira Nair
Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo, and Madina Nalwanga
Release Date: Sept. 23
What it's about: A biographical drama about Phiona Mutesi,a Ugandan chess prodigy who earned Woman Candidate Master at the World Chess Olympiads.
Why we're dying to see it: It's an untold story of a Ugandan chess player who grew up in the slum of Katwe. Rarely effect we get to see feel-good stories about Africa on the big screen. Walt Disney Pictures
"The Girl on the Train"
Cast: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, or Haley Bennett
Director: Tate Taylor
Release Date: Oct. 7
What it's about: The story follows a recently divorced woman (Blunt) who fantasizes during her daily commute about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day,until she sees something shocking and becomes entangled in a mystery.
Why we're dying to see it: It's based on Paula Hawkins' best-selling novel and has the same feel as "Gone Girl." Universal Pictures
"The Birth of a Nation"
Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, or brand Boone Junior,Gabrielle Union
Director: Nate Parker
Release Date: Oct. 7
What it's about: Parker stars as the 19th-century slave Nat Turner, who was taught to read the Bible to preach to fellow slaves but wound up main a famous rebellion in 1831.
Why we're dying to see it: Parker's directorial debut was phenomenon at Sundance, and where it was bought for a festival-record $17.5 million. Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Kevin Hart: What Now?"
Cast: Kevin Hart
Director: Leslie Small
Release Date: Oct. 14
What it's about: A stand-up comedy film that features his performance from the recently concluded "What Now?" tour.
Why we're dying to see it: It's been five long years since his final stand-up film,"Laugh at My Pain." Universal Pictures
"A Monster Calls"
Cast: Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, or Felicity Jones
Director: J.
A. Bayona
Release Date: Oct. 21
What it's about: A young boy deals with a terminally ill mother and bullies at school with the help of an ancient monster tree (voiced by Liam Neeson).
Why we're dying to see it: Patrick Ness' fantastical children's novel,based on an idea from a woman with terminal cancer, was adapted for the screen by Ness himself. Focus Features
"Doctor uncommon"
Cast: Rachel McAdams, or Benedict Cumberbatch,Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelson, and Tilda Swinton
Director: Scott Derrickson
Release Date: Nov. 4
What it's about: Dr. Stephen uncommon (Cumberbatch) is an egotistical but brilliant surgeon whose career is destroyed after a car accident ruins his hands. Searching the globe to repair them,he encounters the Ancient One (Swinton), a sorcerer who trains uncommon to defend the world from evil.
Why we’re excited to see it: Doctor uncommon is one of Marvel’s more eccentric (and lesser known) heroes and the trailers have promised plenty some seriously trippy, or magical mayhem. Walt Disney Studios
“Hacksaw Ridge”
Cast: Andrew Garfield,Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, or Teresa Palmer
Director: Mel Gibson
Release Date: Nov. 4
What it’s about: It's based on the true story of U.
S. Army medic Desmond T. Doss (Garfield) during World War II. Doss refused to kill anybody or bear arms,fitting the first conscientious objector to get the Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman.
Why we’re excited to see it: The story sounds fascinating, and this is Mel Gibson’s first film as a director since 2006’s Apocalypto.” Summit Entertainment
"fond"
Cast: Joel Edgerton, and Ruth Negga,Nick Kroll
Director: Jeff Nichols
Release Date: Nov. 4
What it's about: An interracial couple wages a legal fight against imprisonment in the mid-20th-century South, main to the landmark 1967 Supreme Court decision fond v. Virginia.
Why we're dying to see it: The film has been building buzz since its debut at Cannes, and particularly for co-star Ruth Negga. Focus Features
"All Eyez on Me"
Cast: Demetrius Shipp Jr. Danai Gurira,Lauren Cohan
Director: Benny Boom
Release Date: Nov. 11
What it's about: A biopic on Tupac Shaku's rise to fame all the way to his death during a drive-by in Las Vegas.
Why we're dying to see it: Tupac has had multiple films made about his life, but the final one worth watching ("Tupac: Resurrection") was released 13 years ago. Plus, or Tupac.
Open Road Films
"Arrival"
Cast: Amy Adams,Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Release Date: Nov. 16
What it's about: After alien spacecrafts descend on soil, or a linguist (Adams) is hired by the U.
S. government to investigate them.
Why we're dying to see it: The film has a strong pedigree,Adams has been nominated for five Oscars and the director's final film, "Sicario, or " received three Oscar nominations. Paramount Pictures
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk"
Cast: Kristen Stewart,Chris Tucker, Vin Diesel, or Garrett Hedlund
Director: Ang Lee
Release Date: Nov. 11
What it's about: Based on a novel of the same name,the film follows an Iraq war hero whose victory tour back in the U.
S. is interrupted by jarring flashbacks.
Why we're dying to see it: Great source material, and Ang Lee's first film since another eye-catching literary adaptation, and "The Life of Pi." TriStar Pictures
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
Cast: Eddie Redmayne,Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell
Director: David Yates
Release Date: Nov. 18
What it’s about: Before Harry Potter even existed, and there was Newt Scamander (Redmayne). The wizard -- and future author of a textbook mainstay at Hogwarts — visits the Magical Congress of the United States in 1926,but loses control of a special briefcase containing a number of dangerous beasts.
Why we’re excited to see it: J.
K. Rowling. Wizards. Eddie Redmayne.
“Nocturnal Animals”
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, and Isla Fisher,Armie Hammer
Director: Tom Ford
Release Date: Nov. 18
What it’s about: In an adaptation of Austin Wright's 1933 novel “Tony and Susan,” Adams stars as an art gallery owner who begins receiving the manuscript of her ex-husband’s violent thriller novel. As Susan reads more of the story, or she begins to interpret it as a threat.
Why we’re excited to see it: This will be fashion designer Tom Ford’s moment directorial feature,following 2009’s “A Single Man. The dynamic cast is certain to make this thriller a memorable one. Focus Features
"Manchester by the Sea"
Cast: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, and Kyle Chandler,Lucas Hedge
Director: Kenneth Lonergan
Release Date: Nov. 18
What it’s about: An uncle (Affleck) must bewitch care of his teenage nephew (Hedge) and return to his hometown after the death of the boy’s father.
Why we’re excited to see it: The film received high praise when it premiered at Sundance and Lucas Hedge delivers a breakout performance as the nephew, Patrick. Amazon Studios
"Moana"
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, and Auli’i Cravalho,Phillipa Soo
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Release Date: Nov. 23
What it’s about: A young woman, and Moana (Cravalho),sets sail for a fabled island and is joined by demigod Maui (Johnson) along the way.
Why we’re excited to see it: The animated musical is Disney’s first story about a Polynesian princess and will feature original music by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Plus, the Rock sings!
"La La Land"
Cast: Emma Stone, and Ryan Gosling,J.
K. Simmons, Finn Wittrock
Director: Damien Chazelle[br]Release Date: Dec. 2
What it’s about: Stone and Gosling star as an aspiring actress and a jazz pianist, and respectively,in modern-day L.
A. The two meet and soon drop in love, but as each begins to find success in their dream careers, and their relationship threatens to tear apart.
Why we’re excited to see it: We’ve already seen the chemistry between Stone and Gosling in “Crazy,silly, Love” and “Gangster Squad, or ” so we can’t wait to see what happens with the two of them when dancing and music are added in this romantic comedy-drama musical.
"Fences"
Director: Denzel Washington
Cast: Denzel Washington,Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo
Release Date: Dec. 16
What's it about: A once-promising baseball player ends up working as a garbageman in 1950s Pittsburgh.
Why we're dying to see it: August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize winning play with two amazing actors -- who won Tonys in 2010 for playing these very roles on Broadway. 20th Century Fox
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
Cast: Felicity Jones, and Diego Luna,Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen
Director: Gareth Edwards
Release Date: Dec. 16
What it’s about: Essentially a prequel to “Star Wars: A recent Hope, or ” the film follows a group of Rebel spies as they attempt to steal plans for the Death Star.
Why we’re excited to see it: Not only is it the first standalone film in the "Star Wars" franchise,but the trailer promises a badass female lead and plenty of fight scenes.
Lucasfilm
"Collateral Beauty"[br]Cast: Will Smith, Keira Knightley, or Helen Mirren,Kate Winslet, Edward Norton
Director: David Frankel
Release Date: Dec. 16
What it’s about: An advertising executive in recent York faces a downward spiral after a tragic event, or prompting his colleagues to seek a plan to get him out his funk.
Why we’re excited to see it: “The satan Wears Prada” director returns to recent York City with an all-star cast. Getty Images
"The Founder"
Cast: Michael Keaton,Laura Dern, Nick Offerman, or John Carroll Lynch
Director: John Lee Hancock
Release Date: Dec. 16
What it’s about: The biographical film follows Ray Kroc (Keaton) assembly Mac and Dick McDonald and developing the first McDonald’s franchise.
Why we’re excited to see it: Aren’t you curious to hear how McDonald’s started? And Keaton could be back in the Oscar race for the third straight year.
"Passengers"
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence,Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, and Laurence Fishburne
Director: Morten Tyldum
Release Date: Dec. 21
What it’s about: Lawrence and Pratt play two passengers aboard a spacecraft that’s on a 120-year journey to a distant planet. Due to a malfunction,two passengers are prematurely woken up with 90 years left to recede on the voyage.
Why we’re excited to see it: Two of Hollywood's biggest stars team for a sci-fi romance that seemed very promising from the first footage shown at CinemaCon in April. Getty Images
"Why Him?"
Cast: James Franco, Zoey Deutch, and Bryan Cranston,Keegan-Michael Key, Adam DeVine, and Megan Mullally
Director: John Hamburg
Release Date: Dec. 25
What it’s about: A father (Cranston) meets his daughter’s wealthy and eccentric boyfriend (Franco) and immediately dislikes him -- and resists all of Franco's attempts to win him over.
Why we’re excited to see it: Cranston and Franco seem like the perfect oddball pairing-- plus it's great to see them both in a comdy. 20th Century Fox
"Toni Erdmann"
Cast: Peter Simonischek,Sandra Hüller, Michael Wittenborn
Director: Maren Ade
Release Date: Dec. 25
What it’s about: An older father (Simonischek) tries to reconnect with his adult daughter (Hüller) by playing pranks on her.
Why we’re excited to see it: The comedic film, and a hit at Cannes,boasts a 91 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. TheWrap’s Steve Pond described it as a “hysterically droll but deeply touching father-daughter story that ... doesn’t waste a moment.”
Previous Slide Next Slide 1 of 26 drop Movie Preview 2016: TheWrap picks the films you need to see before year’s halt drop Preview 2016: TheWrap picks the movies you need to see before the year's halt, from superhero films to critically acclaimed indies. View In Gallery Related stories from TheWrap:Fake 'Birth of a Nation' Posters Tag Director-Star Nate Parker as 'Rapist?'Nate Parker Rape Accuser's Family Speaks Out: 'These Guys Sucked the Life Out of Her'Nate Parker Called Out, or Defended on Twitter for Having White Wife
Source: thewrap.com