World must enjoy 'The Birth of a Nation', says Academy president

'The important thing is for people to see it and enjoy the film, be impressed by the film'

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs (Getty)

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who hasn’t yet seen The Birth of a Nation, has said that it is “important” that people “enjoy the film” and be “impressed” by it.

Boone Isaacs, who is trying to bring more diversity to the Oscars though many see it as an industry rather than award ceremony problem, was probably hoping that the slave rebellion drama would pick up several awards at the 2017 ceremony, but its chances were damaged earlier this month after details emerged of a rape trial writer, director and star Nate Parker was involved in.

Parker was acquitted in 1999 while the film’s co-writer Jean Celestin was found guilty. The accuser killed herself in 2012.

Boone Isaacs told TMZ she hadn’t yet seen The Birth of a Nation, but "I know just by the conversation that has gone on at Sundance that it's clearly a movie that filmgoers should go and see."

Asked about Parker’s “presumed guilt”, she replied: "That's one issue, that's his personal issue. And then there's the issue of the movie."

"The important thing is for people to see it and enjoy the film, be impressed by the film. And I think that is what is very important. People need to see this movie."

The Birth of a Nation received a standing ovation before it screened at Sundance, and went on to be bought by Fox Searchlight for a record $17.5 million.