There have been quite a few films and TV series about slavery and the Civil War. However, the upcoming film from director Antoine Fuqua and star Will Smith, titled “Emancipation,” aims to tell the story of one image that changed the course of the entire war in 1863.
According to Deadline, Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith are teaming up for the new film, “Emancipation.” The film will find Smith starring as Peter, an escaped slave that went on a harrowing journey through the swamps while barefoot for 10 days to flee his captors. Eventually, Peter finds himself in the safety of the Union Army, where they take a picture of his scarred back. That picture would eventually be published and be seen around the world, providing the first indisputable proof of the brutality inflicted upon the slaves in the South.
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“It was the first viral image of the brutality of slavery that the world saw,” Fuqua explained. “Which is interesting, when you put it into perspective with today and social media and what the world is seeing, again. You can’t fix the past, but you can remind people of the past and I think we have to, in an accurate, real way. We all have to look for a brighter future for us all, for everyone. That’s one of the most important reasons to do things right now, is show our history. We have to face our truth before we can move forward.”
And though the film is just now being announced, “Emancipation” is a project that Fuqua and Smith have been trying to get together for years now. And now, looking back on what it was like to read the script, Fuqua talked about why the period thriller is still timely.
“It’s almost two years now from when I first read the script,” Fuqua said. “It hit my heart and my soul in so many ways that are impossible to convey but I think you understand. We’re watching some of the feeling that I had, in the streets right now. There’s sadness, there’s anger, there’s love, faith and hope as well because of what I see young people doing today. They’re doing all the heavy lifting now. Black, white, brown, yellow, you name it. They’re out in the street, they’re young, and they’re standing up for their future. That’s important to see, and the most hopeful thing that I’m seeing, that they’re not going to stand for it anymore.”
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He continued, “I had all those feelings when I read the script…It hit home, because this is at heart a film about family, about love. Faith, the idea that Peter never gave up and he fought tooth and nail to get back to his family. That is an important story to tell.”
“Emancipation” is produced by Smith, James Lassiter, and Jon Mone through Westbrook Studios with Escape Artists’ Todd Black and McFarland Entertainment’s Joey McFarland. Fuqua will executive produce under his Fuqua Films banner, alongside Cliff Roberts. The film is expected to go into production in early 2021, after Fuqua and Smith finish their current commitments. The filmmaker is still trying to wrap up production on his upcoming action film, “Infinite.” And Smith is still waiting for production to begin again for his drama, “King Richard.”
