This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The historical epic "The Birth of a Nation" struck what's being called the biggest distribution deal ever made at the Sundance Film Festival: A reported $17.5 million, paid by Fox Searchlight Pictures for its worldwide rights.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie was the subject of a heated bidding war — going on Monday night into Tuesday morning — involving The Weinstein Company, Netflix, Paramount and other distributors. THR reported that Netflix offered $20 million, but insisted on a "day-and-date" release that would put the movies in theaters and streaming on the same day.

"The Birth of a Nation" is the dream project of actor-turned-filmmaker Nate Parker, who wrote, directed and stars as Nat Turner, a slave and preacher who led a slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831. The movie earned repeated standing ovations at its premiere Monday at Park City's Eccles Theatre.

— Sean P. Means