MovieChat Forums > The Birth of a Nation (2016) Discussion > Is the violence and nudity in this film ...

Is the violence and nudity in this film excessive?


I have been hearing great things about this movie. I would like to eventually show this to my Gender/Race Dynamics course in the classroom when its available on Blue Ray. They are community college students so I would like to make sure its does not have too much nudity or violence throughout.



Thanks,


Teacher Lavron P. James

reply

Let me get this straight. You're a teacher? You want to give your students an education on the dynamics of gender and race in America? But you don't want that education to include too much violence?

You're kidding right?

Including factual information and honest imagery of how integral the underlying violence has been to the dynamics of race and gender in America is as important as talking about race period. Quite simply, attempting to avoid the violence (in the name of some sort of genteel sensibilities) would literally amount to teaching them a humongous lie!

Figuratively speaking, white, male supremacy has been the blood of American society. And terroristic violence has been the backbone.



No man lies so boldly as the man who is indignant.

reply

Figuratively speaking, white, male supremacy has been the blood of American society. And terroristic violence has been the backbone.
Well figuratively speaking, you're a total ass^h0le talking out his ass, so...

reply

From one teacher to another, I would warn the students ahead of time that they may not be comfortable with a lot of the scenes in the movie. As such, they are allowed to sit out of class. This is especially useful with early high school graduates who come to college at age 16. It's the minors that we are most concerned with. Aside from that, show the film. The nudity is not overbearing as the movie does not focus on nudity or sexual content. Let me know if you have any other questions. Perhaps we can structure a lesson plan around the movie.

reply

I'm a teacher as well. I wouldn't use this film. Instead I'd suggest having them read Kindred by Octavia Spencer. If your ciriculum doesn't have much space for an entire book, I'd suggest 12 years and maybe have them read the book about the main character. Not sure what grade ur teaching, but there is a sex scene and nudity (however it is important to the film)

reply

I haven't read Kindred. Thank you for mentioning it! We already have a literature book for composition. However, I do love to include excerpts from works outside of that text.

reply

[deleted]