- Title: Will Smith on carpet in London for 'Emancipation' premiere
- Date: 2nd December 2022
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (DECEMBER 2, 2022) (Reuters) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF ACTOR AND PRODUCER WILL SMITH POSING FOR PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR AND PRODUCER, WILL SMITH, SAYING: ‘’I wouldn't have been able to depict Peter ten years ago, you know, but I felt like I found something in playing this character that has changed me forever. A comprehension of faith in a way that, you know, I couldn't have even imagined.’’ VARIOUS OF SMITH SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR AND PRODUCER, WILL SMITH, SAYING: ‘’I always intend to create something that is a contribution to the human family. It's important to me to create things that are helpful. You know, so when I look at ‘Emancipation,’ I'm proud of it. And, you know, my deepest hope is that it touches other people's hearts and in a way that touches my mine.’’
- Embargoed: 16th December 2022 21:16
- Keywords: Ben Foster Charmaine Bingwa Emancipation Oscars Slap Will smith
- Location: UNKNOWN FILMING LOCATIONS, LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: UNKNOWN FILMING LOCATIONS, LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: UK
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA001408102122022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Actor Will Smith says he hopes his new slave drama ''Emancipation'' will connect with audiences, while others on the team praise his work and hope his slap of comedian Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars doesn't negatively impact the film.
‘’I always intend to create something that is a contribution to the human family, '' Smith told Reuters at the film's European premiere in London on Friday (December 2).
''When I look at '‘Emancipation,'’ I'm proud of it.... My deepest hope is that it touches other people's hearts and in a way that touches my mine,’’ he said.
The movie directed by Antoine Fuqua is based on the true 1863 story of a former slave named Gordon, called Peter in the film, and the photographs taken of his battered back that depict the brutalities of American chattel slavery.
Smith had already completed filming of "Emancipation" when he walked onto the Academy Awards stage in March and slapped Rock for making a joke about the hairstyle of his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The "King Richard" star, who won best actor shortly after the assault, was banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years, but he remains eligible for nominations and awards.
''We shot the film before any of those things. And people, over 400 people worked very hard on the film. And I would love for their work to be recognised,’’ Fuqua said.
''Will's apologised 20 times and he feels horrible,'' producer Todd Black said.
''He's owned it fully. He's done everything he can do to get Chris (Rock) to meet and accept his apology. So, we're hoping the film and all the people that made the film are recognised and that slap isn't the thing that leads it. That would be heart-breaking if it is.’’
Sentiments echoed by actor Ben Foster: ‘’There are going to be people (audience members) who come with preconceived notions, and that's fine. But I do hope that people are open minded to seeing a film that deals with a subject of such magnitude.''
All were also full of praise for Smith, including actor Charmaine Bingwa who said this film and role is some of his ''finest work.''
‘’He had the most physically, mentally and emotionally gruelling role in the film,'' she said.
''He's carrying it on his shoulders..., he inspired us through his own actions. He was a really great leader.''
While writer Bill Collage described working with Smith as a ''dream come true''
''When he embraces something, you're working on he then takes it to a whole other level because he's one of the best actors on our planet,'' he said.
Apple TV+’s 2022 “Emancipation" is due to arrive in theatres on Dec. 9.
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