Hollywood has a long history of sexual assault and Nate Parker’s alleged rape case is not new. But, it is different.
New details around actor and director Nate Parker’s involvement in a 1999 rape case has put the actor/director in hot water. However, his past transgressions are not something new in Hollywood.
Critically acclaimed director Roman Polanski, who pleaded guilty to a charge of statutory rape in 1977, served 42 days in jail, was released, and fled the country when the terms of his plea bargain were reversed. However several years later, Polanski won an Oscar for Best Director for The Pianist in 2003.
Woody Allen has a long history of sexual scandal ever since he separated from Mia Farrow in 1992, and married Farrow’s adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn in 1997. The molestation charges reappeared during the 2014 awards season, when Dylan Farrow penned an open letter concerning the alleged molestation. Woody Allen responded back and led to a media-story. And while Woody Allen’s Oscar nominated movie Blue Jasmine didn’t win for Best Original Screenplay, Cate Blanchett did win Best Actress.
That being said, a Hollywood filmmaker does have the ability to circumvent the scrutiny of an alleged sexual assault. However, there are several distinctions between Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and Nate Parker.
Woody Allen and Polanski already established themselves in Hollywood as legendary filmmakers. Allen and Polanski did not star in any of their films, so they were not the public face their films. And Nate Parker’s alleged sexual assault took place on a college campus, which is currently a hot topic since the release of the documentary The Hunting Ground – a documentary that chronicled the backlash women received after saying they were raped.
In addition, Nate Parker’s accuser attempted suicide in the aftermath of the harassment and criminal trial. She would later commit suicide by swallowing 199 sleeping pills. And most importantly, Nate Parker is black and his victim is white, a fact that divided the campus putting women’s rights groups against black student groups.
While, focusing on Nate Parker’s rape is distracting from the key themes and elements in his movie The Birth of a Nation, it is hard to deny that Nate Parker’s future in Hollywood remains is up in the air to rumors, speculation, and a 17 year old court case. And things do not long good.
According to Variety, the American Film Institute has canceled its Friday screening of Birth of a Nation, which was to also include a Q&A with Nate Parker.
“I have been the recipient of many different passionate points of view about the screening, and I believe it is essential that we discuss these issues together — messenger and message, gender, race and more — before we see the film,” Jan Schuette, the AFI Dean said. “Next week, we will be scheduling a special moderated discussion so we may explore these issues together as artists and audience.”
The Birth of a Nation hits theaters on October 7th.
Related:
- ‘Nate Parker is a Rapist’ Posters Hit Hollywood
- ‘Birth of a Nation’ Star Nate Parker Rape Case – 5 Things You Need to Know
- Nate Parker Announces ‘Birth of a Nation’ Fellowship for Aspiring Filmmakers
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