LOS ANGELES (AP) — While filming “Emancipation,” Will Smith routinely drew inspiration from the words “sacred motivation” that were written on the front page of a script. However the Oscar winner heavily leaned on the phrase much more in recent months, as he tried to beat the backlash to his Oscars slap and banishment from the ceremony.
“It’s like when you possibly can locate and center yourself in your divine purpose, you possibly can withstand anything and the whole lot,” Smith said of the phrase that greeted him when he took on the lead role in Antoine Fuqua’s “Emancipation,” which is currently in theaters and shall be available to stream Friday on Apple TV+. “Sacred motivation” became like a theme for him and his castmates, Smith said.
The film, accomplished months before Smith strode onto the Oscars stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock for a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, was a grueling shoot. Inspired by an iconic 1863 photo of the scarred back of “Whipped Peter,” Smith portrays the character Peter — a person who attempts to flee slavery while he uses his wits to dodge slave hunters and brave alligator-infested Louisiana swamps in his quest for freedom.
The photos of “Whipped Peter” were taken during a Union Army medical examination that first appeared in Harper’s Weekly. A picture referred to as “The Scourged Back” showed countless mutilated whip marks on Peter’s bare back that were delivered by his enslavers. The photo contributed to the growing opposition to slavery.
Smith said his character taught him a lesson in overcoming adversity after he faced condemnation, memes and a 10-year Oscars attendance ban. The “slap” seemingly overshadowed his own biggest profession milestone, which got here later within the night: winning his first-ever Academy Award, best actor for “King Richard.”
Political Cartoons
The backlash rocked Smith, but Peter ultimately helped steer him back heading in the right direction too.
“Peter has absolutely helped me through these previous couple of months, just reestablishing inside myself in what my purpose is on this world,” Smith said in a recent interview, one among his first because the Oscars. He has repeatedly apologized for his behavior after accepting his ban.
Normally, “Emancipation” might earn Smith some serious Oscars buzz. He’s still eligible for nominations and awards, but can’t personally accept them. Given backlash to “The Slap,” Smith mainly hopes that audiences will still watch Fuqua’s film.
“This movie was so grueling. Literally across the board, everybody needed to devote a hefty amount of suffering to what you see on that screen,” Smith said. “So my best wish, and I assume I can discuss my best fear, is that my team can be penalized for my actions. I’m out with this film that I like and strictly want my people to get their flowers.”
Fuqua knows Smith made a mistake, but he hopes audiences can move past it. The director believes the story about Peter’s seek for freedom, fighting to get back to his family and being a catalyst in highlighting the horrific side of slavery in “Emancipation” is far larger than “The Slap.”
“Peter’s story is so inspiring, especially as a Black man. We undergo loads of things each day, just being Black,” said Fuqua, known for guiding “Training Day,” “Equalizer” movies and “The Magnificent Seven.” He said his recent film tackles how certain elements of racism in America that also occur today.
“For me, it’s a mistake,” Fuqua said of Smith striking Rock on live television. “Hopefully everybody can get back heading in the right direction and God bless everyone. But we’re talking about 400 years of brutality.”
Bingwa, who plays Peter’s wife Dodienne, credits Smith’s ability to endure the adversity while pushing forward through it.
“It’s in step with the film. I imagine it’s been a tricky period,” said Bingwa, who hopes audiences can learn more about Peter’s determination to return home after making a promise. “I don’t need to speak on Will’s behalf, but he’s been an inspiration to so many for thus long. I like seeing him together with his head held high. Everyone can learn from his experience. I just love the best way you took it on the chin, you’re wearing it and walking forward. We’re all human.”
While promoting the film, Smith held private screenings for several influential figures including Rihanna, Tyler Perry, Dave Chappelle, LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates together with students at Morehouse College. He garnered a terrific amount of support from those individuals, giving him somewhat a sigh of relief.
Every time Smith harkened back to Peter’s story, the more he became empowered to share his character’s journey.
“I feel very comfortable on this current situation with this project, with these people,” he said. “I feel cleansed. I feel purified and transformed in some ways. And as one among the teachings from Peter is, ‘Suffering results in salvation.’ So I’m comfortable taking my medicine.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material will not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
