According to Yahoo, Will Smith opened up about his intense experience while portraying an enslaved man in the 2022 film “Emancipation.” Directed by Antoine Fuqua and based on the true story of a man who escaped slavery and became the subject of the famous 1863 photo of “Whipped Peter,” the film delves into the harrowing reality of the brutality of slavery.
During an interview with Kevin Hart on “Hart to Heart,” Smith revealed that his immersion into the role was so deep that he struggled to shake off the character even after the cameras stopped rolling. He expressed how he wanted to genuinely feel the degradation of slavery, but he acknowledged that he went too far in the process.
The level of human brutality depicted in the film deeply affected Smith, and he shared that there were moments on set where he experienced overwhelming emotions. In one chilling incident, the crew couldn’t remove the neck chains he wore for the role, leading to a moment of panic for the actor. Despite this, Smith insisted on using real chains for authenticity, highlighting the commitment he had to fully embody the character and the historical reality.
While the role took a toll on him emotionally, Smith emphasized that he has no regrets and views the experience as one of the greatest in his acting career. He revealed that working on the film and portraying “Whipped Peter” had a profound impact on his faith, even introducing him to a deeper connection with God.
The powerful performance delivered by Will Smith in “Emancipation” not only left a lasting impression on audiences but also left a significant impact on the actor himself. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of slavery and the importance of telling such stories to ensure we never forget the atrocities of the past.
