I dont own it.
It does not belong to me.
So I definitely dont want to hijack this with my personal life.
Credit: J. Countess/Getty Images
There is no one person that makes a film.
Over 400 people made this film.
We were gone for almost 15 weeks.
Many ideas made it to screen that werent my own.
He added, the legacy of Nat Turner does have healing powers.
Everyone who has sweat and bled and cried for this film should be rewarded.
Many people who kept going above and beyond.
There were people who were running with sandbags and they werent part of the crew.
Its important to recognize that no one perks does anything important on their own.
This isnt the Nate Parker story.
This is the Nat Turner story, added costar Penelope Ann Miller.
That movement is inclusive.
It includes people who fight back against sexual violence.
Any issue you have that is addressing an oppressive institution, this movie is for you too.
A lot of heated conversation is the only way to have evolution.
Nat Turner was rooted in a place of faith that helped to subjugate and oppress his people.
But once he knew better, he did better.
We implore you to join with us to create change.
Her words were echoed by Ellis.
We need our art to tell us who we are.
The system of education is telling us who we are not.
This movie is the song we are singing in our heat.
We need to communicate because we are being beaten by a baton.
Celestin didnt receive a new trial.
It resulted in it being litigated.
I was cleared of it.
Seventeen years later, Im a filmmaker.
I have a family.
I have five beautiful daughters.
I have a lovely wife.
The reality is I cant relive 17 years ago.
All I can do is be the best man I can be now.
Parker also said his initial reaction to questions about the trial came from a standpoint of ignorance.
I was acting as if I was the victim, and thats wrong.
I didnt even think for a second about her, not even for a second, he said.
Additional reporting by Christopher Rosen
