Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tongayi Chirisa is Compelling in ‘Antebellum’ / EUR Exclusive

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Tongayi Chirisa in “Antebellum.” Photo: Matt Kennedy Courtesy of Lionsgate

*Rising star Tongayi Chirisa has had quite a ride, with TV movies and series, including ‘Palm Springs’ and ‘The Jim Gaffigan Show.’

Now adding to his impressive repertoire is the compelling alternate reality film, “Antebellum.” In an exclusive interview with EUR, Chirisa related just how relevant the movie is, and how little things have changed with respect to racism.

Tongayi, explain your character’s motivation in the ‘Antebellum’?

I can’t say too much without spoiling it for the rest of the people that will read this, but Eli has seen the brutality that happened to him and others that he loves. It gets to a point where he feels like he now needs to try and figure out a way to get out of that hell hole.

Needless to say, ‘Antebellum’ is among the most relevant films released this year. Can you speak on this?

Oh, my God. It is a carbon copy. It is the mirror of what is happening today. It is no different to what was taking place in the 1960s with the civil rights movement, with the slaves, with underground railroads, with people trying to fight for freedom and liberty. The same theme is recurring 400 years later, which is, give us our freedom. Give us the equality that you so spoke about. Give us the privileges that you are so enjoying, and yet somehow you keep suppressing us from having those same benefits. Give us our equality!

RELATED: ‘Antebellum’ Stars Gabourey Sidibe & Lily Cowle Discuss Race and White Allies

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Tongayi Chirisa

What was your initial reaction when you received the script to this fantastic film?

As I read it, there was that moment when the world was turned upside down. I jumped up out of my chair, threw the script down, and hollered. I was like, ‘No way.’ I hadn’t seen something like this in a movie. So I had to be a part of this. And when they told me  Janelle (Monáe) was going to be the lead in it, I was like, ‘Wow, this is writing itself.’

Janelle is a pop icon and the center of everything that is cultural, everything that is about the movement, and the improvement of Black consciousness.  I love who she is, what she stands for and what she advocates for. So to be a part of this film with this dynamic woman, this goes down in the history books for me.

There are so many truths and great messages in ‘Antebellum,’ but is there any one particular thought you want viewers to walk away with?

That’s a very multilayered question because there’s so many things that one can walk away with. Are you for equal or are you not? And if you’re not, why? If we say that we’re created equally in the eyes of God, is that being reflected and represented today? And if that’s not the case, what needs to be addressed to make sure that everyone gets the same treatment regardless of race or color.

Directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, “Antebellum” also stars Gabourey Sidibe, Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, and Kiersey Clemons.

Veteran, syndicated Entertainment journalist Marie Moore reports on mainstream media and the Black diaspora. Facebook.com/TheFilmStrip    Twitter: @thefilmstrip Instagram.com/thefilmstriptm

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