Nate Parker to release racially charged film ‘American Skin’

Nate Parker is set to release American Skin, a film on the social and racial climate of today.

About the film, American Skin

Debuting at the Venice Beach Film Festival in 2019, American Skin chronicles how after witnessing his 14 year-old son’s murder by a white police officer who goes uncharged, Marine veteran Lincoln ‘Linc’ Jefferson takes matters into his own hands in a series of events he hopes will finally lead to justice for his son.

Parker directed, wrote, and also stars in the movie.

The story is very personal based on real life experiences

Based on the trailer, it appears American Skin will certainly keep audiences on the edge of their seats while the story gets up close and very personal.

Michael Brown shooting influence on American Skin

In an interview with Deadline, Parker said he was moved by the police shooting of Michael Brown and his hope is to “amplify calls for justice, while seeking a better understanding of the tensions between law enforcement and men and women of color”.

“In 2014, following the death of Michael Brown, I traveled to Ferguson, Missouri to stand against the overt domestic terrorism I saw spreading like a virus throughout our country. My hope was both to amplify calls for justice, while seeking a better understanding of the tensions between law enforcement and men and women of color. The most tragic moment of this trip arrived when I stood downtown between two infuriated groups of citizens. From one side came yells of ‘Justice for Mike Brown’ and on the other ‘Support Our Police’. It became even more clear to me, the disconnect in our collective understanding of citizenship, law enforcement, and our responsibility to preserve American Black lives. This trip and subsequent killings developed in me a fire that manifested itself into the makings of this film American Skin“.

Nate Parker said most importantly, he wants to use his platform to promote social equity.

“As an American citizen, father, brother, son and artist, I felt compelled to use my platform as a filmmaker to respond to this crisis in a way that could not only promote social equity, but initiate a global culture shift that can result in the preservation of lives. If saving one life is the only thing this film achieves, it will have served its core purpose,” Parker continued.

American Skin is set to be released January 15, 2021 on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s day.