Will Smith’s Oscar contender Emancipation is receiving rave reviews after its first private showing. Apple Original Films, the company that ultimately acquired the rights to the film, teamed up with the NAACP to arrange a screening of the film, which received positive reviews for its inspiring message of perseverance. The official premiere date, December 2nd, has been announced by Apple for a global theatre release. Peter (Smith), who escapes slavery and travels through hell and back in quest of freedom, is the protagonist of Emancipation, a film written by Bill Collage and directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day). On a perilous trek across the Louisiana bayous in search of his family, he draws strength from his religion and his undying love for them.
Horrific photographs of “Whipped Peter,” obtained during a medical examination by the Union Army, served as the inspiration for the film. The pictures were initially published in Harper’s Weekly in 1863, and they helped spark a movement against slavery. Smith discussed his performance as Peter during a press conference following the exclusive screening, adding, “…not a movie about slavery at all. The theme of this movie is independence. A film about overcoming adversity. Remember, at its heart, this is a film about belief. This is a movie with a focus on male emotion.”
After a successful private screening at the 51st annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, DC, and with high expectations that Emancipation would prove to be a contender for the Academy Awards, the film will be released in theatres on December 2. Smith’s involvement in Fuqua’s historical drama will be his first since the Oscars banned him for ten years. Fans left the premiere screening with high hopes that the film’s powerful message would sway the Academy’s decision.
In addition to Ben Foster and Charmaine Bingwa, the cast of Emancipation includes Gilbert Owuor, Mustafa Shakir, Steven Ogg, Grant Harvey, Ronnie Gene Bivens, Jayson Warner Smith, Jabbar Lewis, Michael Luwoye, Aaron Moten, and Imani Pullum. As part of Westbrook Studios, Smith and Jon Mone, together with Todd Black of Escape Artists and Joey McFarland of McFarland Entertainment, will serve as producers. Fuqua, together with Chris Brigham, James Lassiter, Heather Washington, Cliff Roberts, Glen Basner, and Scott Greenberg, acts as both director and executive producer. Movie theatres will play host to “Emancipation” on December 2, 2022; the following Friday, on December 9, 2022, it will debut on Apple TV+ throughout the world.