With his film The Birth of a Nation heading to theaters, Nate Parker is facing questions about his past. Parker starred in, wrote and directed the film.
The questions stem from a 1999 allegation at Penn State, where a female classmate accused Parker and his roommate, Jean Celestin, of rape. According to reports, Parker was acquitted at trial. Parker has said he had sex with the woman and that it was consensual. Celestin was initially convicted, but that conviction was later overturned after the accuser declined to testify in a retrial.
In an interview with Variety, Parker addressed the matter. “Seventeen years ago, I experienced a very painful moment in my life,” he said. “It resulted in it being litigated. I was cleared of it.” He added that all he can do now is be the best man he can be.
Celestin is credited as a co writer on The Birth of a Nation. Parker told Variety he expects more scrutiny as the film’s press push grows, and said he is open to it and will not hide anything from his past.
Baller Alert will keep you updated as the conversation around the film continues.
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