Nate Parker Apologizes for His Response to Rape Charge at Venice Film Festival 2019

Nate Parker is apologizing.

The 39-year-old actor and director issued an apology regarding the way he responded to being acquitted of a rape charge he received as a college student during a press conference for his new film American Skin on Sunday (September 1) at the 2019 Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy.

“The last three years have been such a learning experience for me. I feel like I have gained so much wisdom from people in my circle,” he said at the event.

“Three years ago I was pretty tone deaf to the realities of certain situations that were happening in the climate. And I’ve had a lot of time to think about that, and I’ve learned a lot from it. And being tone deaf, there were a lot of people that were hurt in my response, in the way I approached things. I apologize to those people.”

“I’ve learned, I’m continuing to learn. I’m 39 years old now. Hopefully I have a long way to go. The hope is that I can continue taking the wisdom from people who care enough…and help me to be introspective about where I am and where I’ve been through.”

Spike Lee was also in attendance, as well as Beau Knapp, Shane Paul McGhie, Theo Rossi and Miluana Jackson.

“He explained to me the growth he had gone through, and also the pain, and when he said that, I said, ‘Come on, brother. I’m with you. That’s why I’m here,” Spike said.

American Skin follows a Marine veteran working as a school janitor who tries to mend his relationship with his son after a divorce. When his son is killed by a police officer found innocent without standing trial, he takes matters into his own hands.