“Emancipation” film producer Joey McFarland sparked outrage across social media after he walked the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere last week with an image of the real-life slave that the film is based on.
Per the official synopsis: “Emancipation” tells the triumphant story of Peter (Will Smith), a man who escapes from slavery, relying on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love for his family to evade cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on his quest for freedom. The film is inspired by the 1863 photos of “Whipped Peter,” taken during a Union Army medical examination, that first appeared in Harper’s Weekly. One image, known as “The Scourged Back,” which shows Peter’s bare back mutilated by a whipping delivered by his enslavers, ultimately contributed to growing public opposition to slavery.
“I have the photo, this is the original photograph from 1863,” McFarland said as revealed a photo of Whipped Peter while on the red carpet at the premiere on Wednesday. “I wanted a piece of Peter to be here tonight.”
After catching a wave of backlash over the image, McFarland issued an apology on Sunday, Complex reports.
READ MORE: Will Smith Hits Red Carpet for LA Premiere of ‘Emancipation’
#Emancipation producer Joey McFarland brought the original “scourged back” photo from 1863 to the film’s premiere: “I wanted a piece of Peter to be here tonight.” https://t.co/PUJ13jCFiD pic.twitter.com/kDJCndFJnM
— Variety (@Variety) December 1, 2022
“I wholeheartedly apologize to everyone I have offended by bringing a photograph of Peter to the ‘Emancipation’ premiere,” McFarland wrote via Instagram. “My intent was to honor this remarkable man and to remind the general public that his image not only brought about change in 1863 but still resonates and promotes change today.”
Will Smith, his wife Jada, and their kids Jaden and Willow, as well as Trey Smith, the actor’s son from his first marriage, gathered at the Regency Village Theatre for the red-carpet event. The LA premiere marked the first time Smith has attended a high-profile event since slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars in March.
Smith stars in “Emancipation” alongside Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Gilbert Owuor, Mustafa Shakir, Steven Ogg, Grant Harvey, Ronnie Gene Bivens, Jayson Warner Smith, Jabbar Lewis, Michael Luwoye, Aaron Moten and Imani Pullum.
“Emancipation” was released in select theaters on Dec. 2 and will debut on Apple TV+ on Dec. 9.
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