a) The Birth of a Nation

“The Birth of a Nation,” directed by D.W. Griffith in 1915, is a film that remains controversial for its portrayal of the Civil War and Reconstruction. While it was groundbreaking in its cinematic techniques, introducing advanced camera movements, close-ups, and narrative storytelling, the film’s content has been widely criticized for its racist depictions and glorification of the Ku Klux Klan. It presented a distorted view of history, reinforcing harmful racial stereotypes and whitewashing the atrocities of slavery and racial violence. Despite its technical achievements, “The Birth of a Nation” sparked protests and debates about race relations in America, highlighting the power of film as a medium to influence public opinion and the importance of responsible storytelling in cinema.