Will Smith, an icon of international cinema, has revealed the intimate and quirky aspect of an experience on the set of Antoine Fuqua’s Emancipation Beyond Freedom, in which he plays the famous runaway slave character known as “Whipped.” Peter’.
Will Smith and Intense Immersion as Whipped Peter: A Journey into Slavery for Film Emancipation
The story of the film is based on the life of Peter, a man who managed to escape from the plantation back in 1863, becoming the protagonist of an unusually powerful photograph called “Offended Back”. This image, which depicts Peter’s back, marked with scars from lashes received during slavery, has established itself as a symbol of public resistance to slavery, representing the fight against injustice.
Speaking on Heart to Heart, hosted by Kevin Hart, Will Smith talked about delving deeply into the role of Peter in order to authentically and resonantly convey the suffering and resilience of this historical figure. He admitted that he had gone too far to understand the humiliating experience of slavery:
My interpretation made me feel the degradation of slavery firsthand, and perhaps I have gone too far. This level of human cruelty… I wanted to feel the weight of those royal chains around my neck.
Striving for realism, the actor wore real chains during filming. However, surprise was part of this deep and intense search when the keys to the chains failed, leading to moments of both physical and psychological discomfort:
The keys didn’t work and I was left there with these chains. I understand how terrible it was, but Peter had no one to come and save him.
Will Smith shared that this experience allowed him to further understand the suffering and atrocities experienced by Peter. This process not only enriched her performance, but also touched her spirit, resulting in a deep spiritual connection:
It was one of the most significant experiences in my acting career. It brought me closer to God, my faith grew a lot while working on this film.
Emancipation, directed by Antoine Fuqua, debuted on the big screen on December 2, 2022 and captured the attention of a global audience. The film then began streaming from Dec. 9 on Apple TV+, giving viewers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the emotions and challenges of an era marked by slavery, led by Will Smith’s powerful performance as Whipped Peter.