The Birth of a Nation

*The Birth of a Nation* is a silent film from 1915 directed by D.W. Griffith. It is significant for its technical innovations in filmmaking but is also highly controversial because of its racist portrayal of African Americans and its sympathetic depiction of the Ku Klux Klan. The film portrays the Reconstruction era with distorted history, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and promoting white supremacy. Its release sparked widespread protests and protests against its racist content, highlighting the impact of film as a powerful tool for shaping public attitudes and history narratives.