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Now playing in theaters everywhere is The Birth of a Nation. The passion project of co-writer/director/producer/star Nate Parker is a historical drama chronicling the life of Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher who was used to “pacify” other slaves in neighboring plantations via his sermons, and who subsequently led a bloody uprising that had reverberations throughout the country. The movie also stars Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Penelope Ann Miller, Aunjane Ellis, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Jr, Colman Domingo, Dwight Henry, Esther Scott, Roger Guenveur Smith, and Gabrielle Union. For more on The Birth of a Nation watch the trailer and read Matt’s review.

Shortly after the film played at the Toronto International Film Festival I landed an exclusive interview with Aunjanue Ellis and Penelope Ann Miller. They talked about what it’s been like after signing on to this small indie that became something much bigger. Check out the interview above.

The Birth of a Nation Synopsis and Images

Set against the antebellum South and based on a true story, The Birth of a Nation follows Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer) accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities – against himself, his wife Cherry (Aja Naomi King), and fellow slaves – Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.