Will Smith: ‘Emancipation’ was hard to make

WILL Smith says Emancipation was a “monster” of a film to make.

The 54-year-old actor stars as a slave called Peter in Antoine Fuqua’s movie and was grateful for Apple’s support as production was hit by delays.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in his first red carpet appearance since slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars in March, Smith said: “This project was an absolute monster of a difficult film to make. It was supposed to take three months, and after act of God after act of God, the film ended up taking seven.

“And the team at Apple never flinched, not one time.

“I’ve worked everywhere in town, and you guys are the top of the top, I have to say. There were many days when the plug could have gotten pulled on this thing, and your devotion to bringing this story to your audience and to the world, I salute you.”

The King Richard star explained that he considers Emancipation to be a film about freedom rather than slavery.

Smith said: “The realisation for me that this was not a movie about slavery – when I read it, this was a movie about freedom… as I got to know Peter and understand some of (his) experiences and the way he was able to sustain faith in the heart of the greatest imaginable human atrocities…

“That’s what attracted me to Peter, and I wanted to be able to study and learn and know how to do that myself.”

The movie is being released at a turbulent point in Smith’s life.

He said: “To have a movie like this in this time for me, and even this time in my life, is poetic perfection.” |