Will Smith Talks New Movie ‘Emancipation’ At Particular Screening, First Challenge Since Chris Rock Oscars Slap

The primary screening of upcoming Apple TV+ drama “Emancipation” passed off Saturday in Washington, D.C., with director Antoine Fuqua and star Will Smith each in attendance.

“Emancipation” would be the first Smith-starring film to be launched since he infamously slapped Chris Rock onstage on the Oscars, minutes earlier than profitable his first Academy Award.

“Emancipation” relies on the true story of a slave named Peter (Smith), who escapes his plantation so as to discover his household, ultimately becoming a member of the Union Military. When his whip-scarred again was photographed throughout a medical examination, the photograph was printed in The Impartial, opening eyes to the brutality of slavery in America.

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In keeping with The Hollywood Reporter, the backlash to Smith’s actions had left the movie’s destiny in limbo, however it now seems the furor has died down sufficient to a screening to happen, indicating its launch received’t be too far off.

Following the screening, which passed off on the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition, Smith and Fuqua mentioned the film throughout a dialog with moderator Angela Rye.

At a particular screening of the movie #Emancipation, with director @AntoineFuqua and producer and star Will Smith. That is the primary time Will has seen the movie with an viewers. @appletv @appletvplus pic.twitter.com/RMDGvYIEky

— April is in DC (@ReignOfApril) October 1, 2022

“All through my profession, I’ve turned down many movies that have been set in slavery. I by no means needed to indicate us like that. After which this image got here alongside. And this isn’t a movie about slavery. This can be a movie about freedom. This can be a movie about resilience. This can be a movie about religion,” Smith mentioned on the screening.“

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“This can be a movie in regards to the coronary heart of a person — what could possibly be known as the primary viral picture,” Smith continued. “Cameras had simply been created, and the picture of whipped Peter went around the globe. It was a rallying cry in opposition to slavery, and this was a narrative that exploded and blossomed in my coronary heart that I needed to have the ability to ship to you in a method that solely Antoine Fuqua might ship.”