Nate Parker’s work in “Birth of a Nation” quickly generated Oscar buzz this year — and raised questions on an old college rape trial against him.
The actor and director —who was acquitted — has now opened up on the growing controversy surrounding the rape charges he faced as a student and wrestling athlete at Penn State University in 1999.
“Seventeen years ago, I experienced a very painful moment in my life,” he recalled to Variety magazine in a story published on Friday.
Parker and fellow student Jean McGianni Celestin — who co-wrote “Birth of a Nation” — were accused by a female college freshmen of raping her after she passed out in their apartment following a night of heavy drinking, according to court documents obtained by the magazine.
“It resulted in it being litigated. I was cleared of it. That’s that. Seventeen years later, I’m a filmmaker. I have a family. I have five beautiful daughters. I have a lovely wife,” he said.
“I get it. The reality is” he said, pausing. “I can’t relive 17 years ago. All I can do is be the best man I can be now.”
The 36-year-old declined to get into the specifics of the case but said he is “open to the scrutiny” and stressed he has never hidden from his past.
Records show the women dropped out of the University and attempted to commit suicide.
“It was a very painful for everyone who went through it. What I learned through 17 years of growth and having children and having a wife and building a family is that we have to fight for what’s right. We have to lead in love,” he continued.
The 17-year-old case resurfaced after Parker co-wrote, produced and directed the independent drama about the failed 1831 rebellion led by Virginia slave Nat Turner.
The film, released in late January amid the racial tensions plaguing the Academy Awards was praised by viewers and has earned several awards including the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Parker was acquitted in 2001 while Celestin was sentenced to six months in prison. During the trial, both admitted to having sex with the unidentified woman but said it was consensual. The woman said she was too intoxicated to consent and alleged the men harassed her after the trial.
Parker also claimed the two had engaged in consensual sexual relations before the accusation. An appeal by Celestin in 2005 led to his charges being dismissed after his accuser refused to testify again.
She later sued the University and received a $17,500 settlement, according to the magazine.
Foxlight Studios said it was aware of the “incident that occurred while Nate Parker was at Penn State.”
“We also know that he was found innocent and cleared of all charges,” they said in a statement to the magazine. “We stand behind Nate and are proud to help bring this important and powerful story to the screen.”
