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THE MISSION
the mission of this project.
The mission firstly of Blacksupremacy films is to create more narratives of this nature, that gives the African child a voice.
For far too long our stories have been told by outsiders, our experiences documented by people who cannot relate to us.
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We are making it our mission too take back the African narrative, creating a platform whereby, we are in a position to mold how we perceive ourselves, our culture, our circumstances and general way of life.
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Birth of a Nation is one of those narratives that exposes us too ourselves, our circumstances and how we relate too them first hand, in the most authentic way. With conversations that reveal how we really think and feel and not what the media portrays .
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01
THE FILM
Documentary Synopsis
Synopsis
Birth of a Nation, Children of Azania is an hour and 15 minutes’ documentary about the "born free" generation in South Africa and their struggle with education in the developing country. Sparked by the uprising of the "fees must fall" protests, we witness how a generation responds to the difficulty brought by their circumstances through painful but ultimately positive discussions about the system in this country and how it is structured to keep them oppressed.
Africans have always been deprived in South Africa with systems like Apartheid, which was ended in 1994, when South Africa had its first democratic elections. The ruling party/government that won the elections and still govern South Africa today promised its supporters (the parents of the new generation) a better life for their children, which included free decolonized education. 23 years later and the promise is still unfulfilled, resulting in thousands of so called "born frees" struggling to overcome their circumstances through furthering their education, because of the lack of finances.
The film’s narrative unfolds through a series of story lines: the second uprising of the "fees must fall” movement, the reaction of the university, government and media. The police brutality and intimidation, also the strength and persistence of the students. We hear characters share their personal stories, speaking passionately about their experience in this so called democratic developing country, their hopes and fears, hard work and anticipation and also their persistence and ability to overcome their negative circumstance.
Birth of a Nation concludes with the students looking back into the past too better interpret the present and current events and although they do not get their way with the struggle, there is an optimistic approach to the future with an open mind of never giving up.
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THE FACTS
interesting facts about the documentary.
* Birth of a Nation was independently made by a first time filmmaker, in her first year of film school.
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*The project took about nine months to shoot and edit.
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*The Documentary is completely unscripted, with documents such as the synopsis and treatment written only after its completion.
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*The production crew consisted of only one person 90% of the documentary and two people in the 10%.
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*The post production team consisted of four people.
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*Most of the content on Birth of a Nation was random encounters with strangers.
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*The original music used on Birth of a Nation is from The Soul & Conscious, A duo that is originally from Zambia and Mozambique but are based in South Africa.