By John Carucci, Entertainment Writer
TORONTO (AP) --Gabrielle Union feels the conversation that "Birth of a Nation" can create about race and sexual violence will have more impact than the controversy surrounding filmmaker Nate Parker.
A 17-year-old rape allegation against Parker and his co-writer Jean Celestin while they were students at Penn State University has loomed in the headlines and threatened to overshadow the film. Parker also directed, and stars in the true account of the 1831 slave rebellion led by Nat Turner.
"This movie is so much bigger than me, than Nate, but it includes all of us in moving this conversation forward," Union told the Associated Press on Saturday at a junket for the film at the Toronto International film Festival.
Parker was acquitted in the case. Celestin was initially found guilty of sexual assault in the same case, but the conviction was later overturned when the accuser declined to testify for a retrial. The accuser killed herself in 2012.
Union, a rape survivor, was aware of the allegation, but wanted to do the film to have a platform for dialogue.
"I was actually encouraged to shirk my responsibilities, duck it, cut ties. … My whole point in taking this film was to talk about sexual violence, and it seems asinine to shirk that responsibility," Union said.
She added: "I have a responsibility as a decent human being to continue the conversation surrounding sexual assault, rape culture, and toxic masculinity and misogyny and that our movement at 'Birth of a Nation' is not narrowly focused."
At the junket, Parker wanted to focus more on the film.
"I have spoken about it a couple of times, and I'm sure I will speak in future forums, but the reality is that this forum is for film, and there are 400 people that put their blood, sweat and tears into this, and a lot of them are having their … first film festival."
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More