The Birth of a Nation: Nate Parker's drama receives stunning first trailer

The film has already garnered early Oscars buzz

Having set Sundance alight earlier this year, winning the festival’s Grand Jury and Audience prizes (and being bought for record sums of money by Fox Searchlight), the first teaser trailer for The Birth of a Nation was both spectacular and harrowing.

The historic drama, written and directed by 36-year-old the film’s lead actor, Nate Parker, has now received an official trailer, revealing yet more stunning imagery.

Parker's The Birth of a Nation - based on the 1800s slave rebellion in Virginia - focussing on his character, Nat Turner, and is a stark contrast to the original 1916 film of the same name, based on similar events.

That project, which has been deemed as one of the most racist film's of all time, has been credited with helping spur on a second wave of KKK groups with members showing the film to new recruits.

This iteration of the story follows Turner from a young age, born into slavery, as he grows up to become a preacher and lead a slave rebellion.

Starring alongside the actor/director/all-star wrestler are Arnie Hammer (Man from U.N.C.L.E), Aja Naomi King (How to Get Away with Murder) and Jackie Earle Harley (Watchmen).

When previously asked about playing the lead role, Parker revealed the pains of playing the incarcerated character: "It sucked, it was not fun. There were definitely days when Nate had to stop what we were doing and remind us why we were all here because everybody felt the emotional burden of it. But, at the same time, it was a story that needs to be told.”

Parker spent seven years trying to get the film made, reportedly investing $100,000 of his own money into the $10 million production, turning down various other roles to pursue the project.