The Birth of a Nation
The Birth of a Nation. Directed by D.W. Griffith (1915) Questions to Consider for Blog Post #1 Most films were curiosities and short vaudeville scenarios for the "working class." How does BoaN change how people thought about film? How does Griffith show the possibilities of story telling using film? Griffith considered BoaN an anti-war film? What scenes communicate that? Why did Griffith insist on recreating certain moments, such as the surrender at Appamattox and Lincoln's assassination, so methodically? What are the major differences between the first part and the second part? Racism obviously pervades the film. How does BoaN create an enduring stereotype of free black men, in particular? Do you think this film deserved to be censored? Why or why not?