Will Smith could return to work sooner after a strong screening. A major project that had been put on hold seems to be back on track.
Actor James Franco, who still works to rebuild his reputation after the Oscars slap at him, attended the 51st Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosted by NAACP on Saturday with other high-ranking officials.
Also see: Will Smith’s film “Emancipation” is being delayed on Apple TV+ due to Oscars slap
Following the “slap-not-seen-but-talked-about-around-the-world” incident, the future of the movie as well as several of Smith’s projects was in doubt. Apple, however, produced the movie. EmancipationThe NAACP and, hosted a screening during the conference, in front of a crowd full of social-impact leaders. It indicated its intention to release the film soon.
Smith spoke at the screening and said that he had turned down many films set in slavery during his career. “I never wanted that to happen. Then, this picture was born. This film is not about slavery. This is a film about freedom. This film is about resilience. This is a film about faith,” he added.
Smith stated that the main themes of the film are perseverance, determination and the desire for freedom and living a happy life. Smith also spoke about the role of “Whipped Peter”, who was famous for his 18th-century photos of him with scars across his back that went viral. Smith called it “the first viral photo” because it provided visual evidence to Northerners of the brutality and encouraged free Blacks into the Union Army.
Positive reactions were also received by the audience at the screening.
Derrick Johnson, president and chief executive officer at the NAACP, was kind enough to praise Smith’s movie and call it “a story that celebrates adversity as well as resilience and love and triumph.”
The film was enjoyable to watch. #Emancipation and can’t begin to tell how powerful this is for OUR community and OUR history. It’s a story of adversity, of resilience, of love, and of triumph.
We are grateful to Antoine Fuqua, Will Smith and Will Smith for sharing their gifts.#ThisIsPower
— Derrick Johnson (@DerrickNAACP) October 1, 2022
Donna Brazile, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, applauds the depiction of Black people fighting for their rights.
#EmancipationComing soon. This powerful picture shows how Black people fought for freedom. @AppleTV
It is important to know when the release date is. #freedom@NAACP— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) October 1, 2022
#EmancipationThis is a powerful story that not only has roots in our history but also demonstrates our resilience as people. Thank you @willsmith @AntoineFuqua @AppleTVplusFor telling stories that matter! #Freedom #Power pic.twitter.com/8e3ROZY6qB
— a. rye (@angela_rye) October 2, 2022
The movie #EmancipationBy @Apple Films is a powerful & gut wrenching depiction of the horrors of slavery in America.#WillSmith, who masterfully played the role Peter, spoke about how he (and we) hold space in this world using Peter’s life as the example. Make this movie! pic.twitter.com/Fp9MDb04yw
— Tonya J. Williams (@tonyajwillms) October 2, 2022
Even if Smith and EmancipationSmith will not be allowed to attend Academy events for the next 10 years, despite any Oscar hype.
Also see: Chris Rock finally speaks out against Will Smith’s Oscars 2022 slap.
Source: Twitter
