As others have saidcopperqueenSeptember 18 2004, 17:09:17 UTC
This is an important film. When I was studying film we watched parts of it, and even as a black person I was appalled. We did not discuss it so much as a film about race and racism, but of course the subject came up!
What was most shocking to me was learning that this film was the first "blockbuster!" As a film it revolutionized cinema (not because Griffith did so much that was new, but because he put all of these techniques in one picture), and as a product it revolutionized the film industry. It was the first film to be "marketed." Which is frightening. It was with Birth of a Nation that people began to seriously consider the power of film to educate (or miseducate).
Viewing it from that perspective is meaningful. This film had great power, and was hugely popular. Also, knowing that DW Griffith bristled at being called a bigot would probably be met with disbelief by modern day audiences (particularly white folks). We can definitely learn from our ancestors.
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What was most shocking to me was learning that this film was the first "blockbuster!" As a film it revolutionized cinema (not because Griffith did so much that was new, but because he put all of these techniques in one picture), and as a product it revolutionized the film industry. It was the first film to be "marketed." Which is frightening. It was with Birth of a Nation that people began to seriously consider the power of film to educate (or miseducate).
Viewing it from that perspective is meaningful. This film had great power, and was hugely popular. Also, knowing that DW Griffith bristled at being called a bigot would probably be met with disbelief by modern day audiences (particularly white folks). We can definitely learn from our ancestors.
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I'll keep thinking ...
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