Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation was meant to take the box office and award circuit over by storm. But controversies tied to Parker’s 1999 rape trial and a press run full of missteps have steered away many of its potential viewers. As a matter of fact, the film didn’t even come close to meeting box office expectations.

The Birth of a Nation made its national debut this past weekend and only brought in $7.1 million and came in sixth place at the box office. It was initially predicted to make $10 million, according to Jezebel.

[Related: Nate Parker Criticized As Details About 1999 Rape Trial Resurface]

“This movie with its strong themes of uprising arrives at a very interesting time in our country,” an anonymous studio executive told Deadline. “Without the filmmakers’ controversies, it’s a story many would feel compelled to see. And it’s a shame that’s not happening.”

Many fans had to make the deeply personal decision of whether they’d support the film or not. For some, it was a matter of choosing between endorsing a film about black history or holding someone accountable for a past assault and a clear benefit of the flaws in the justice system.

Photo Credit: YouTube

Author

  • Keith Reid-Cleveland is a proud product of Chicago's Southside and the Missouri School of Journalism. The Black Youth Project News Editor has written about politics, race and entertainment for multiple publications, such as Uproxx, The Undefeated, Black Nerd Problems, Comic Book Resources and more.