*The Santa Barbara International Film Festival held its annual Virtuosos Awards this year at the Arlington Theater honoring and awarding actors such as Aldis Hodge (Clemency), Cynthia Erivo (Harriet) and Taylor Russel (Waves)just to name a few.
EURweb correspondent Monique Loveless got the chance to speak to Aldis Hodge who plays Anthony Wood, an incarcerated man on death row in Clemency on how the role changed him and how the issues of the movie have personally affected our community as a whole.
“I think the experience with the film and what we did with it has shown me a little more about the empathy of people.” He continues, “They come away with an education of what empathy actually is. Often times we judge from ignorance or inexperience.”
The Brian Banks actor even goes on to talk about how we can help one another to learn that same empathy and not judge one another.
“We have to look inward.” He says, “ I think people often judge most harshly with the things they’re most familiar with. You know quick to judge someone else by the things you don’t like about yourself.” Aldis goes on with some knowledgeable words “Before you judge somebody seek who they are and why they are doing what they are doing.”
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We can all say amen now. Hodge also had some good advice when it comes to the black community and seeking mental health.
“Mental health is apart an equal part of the equation for self-care and self-love.” He explains, “Within the black community especially, we need to trust in one another and trust in ourselves enough to know it’s ok to go talk to somebody.” Hodge goes on to express, “We need to promote it more that it’s ok to admit I can’t handle it all and I need a little help.”
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After the deeper conversation with Hodge, the red carpet concluded with Cynthia Erivo, who is up for her first Oscar Award this year, which could potentially make her the youngest EGOT holder and when talking to us she was ecstatic and hopeful.
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