epitomizes american film ever since

Rating: Null/10 (4 July 2001)

I have only a brief comment: Birth of a Nation seems interestingly to be paradigmatic of American film ever since: a truly passionate and emotionally involving movie, full of brilliant shots and great cinematography, groundbreaking in every way, that is interesting to watch and fun to enjoy. And, at its core, corrupt, soulless, and evil.
Birth of a Nation created Hollywood, and Hollywood has followed its example ever since. Their maxim is: entertain, dazzle, empassion, involve, and in all ways draw in the viewer-- but never, ever take the time to think out the deeper implications of the meaning of your film. The "cinema-industrial complex" can buy great cinematography, cool shots, stunning visuals, good acting, a well-written score-- that is, they can buy everything but truth and meaning. It will be a great day when we all realize that all that stuff that can be bought amounts to nothing when a film isn't honest and doesn't try to convey something that is true-- the hallmark of true art.