*Will Smith shared a behind-the-scenes image of himself on the set of his upcoming slave movie “Emancipation,” which is inspired by a true story of one man fighting through unthinkable terrors in an attempt to reunite with his family.
In the image, Smith is seen standing shirtless and with his left hand raised to show the bloody whip marks on his chest and his waist. The actor praised make-up artist Judy Murdoc in the caption of the photo, writing: “Judy’s done my makeup on almost all my movies and lemme tell you, she went WILD on #emancipation.”
Check out the photo via the Instagram post below.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, “Emancipation” is based on true events about a slave named Peter who is famously known for the photograph of his bare back covered in scars from a brutal whipping. Smith plays Peter, who escapes his plantation in Louisiana in search of his family. While evading capture, Peter joins the Union Army, per Movie Web.
READ MORE: Will Smith Hosts Intimate LA Screening for Slavery Film ‘Emancipation’
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“This is a film about the heart of a man — what could be called the first viral image. Cameras had just been created, and the image of whipped Peter went around the world. It was a rallying cry against slavery, and this was a story that exploded and blossomed in my heart that I wanted to be able to deliver to you in a way that only Antoine Fuqua could deliver,” Smith said in October when the film screened as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 51st Annual Legislative Conference.
“Throughout my career, I’ve turned down many films that were set in slavery. I never wanted to show us like that. And then this picture came along. And this is not a film about slavery. This is a film about freedom. This is a film about resilience. This is a film about faith,” he added.
After a recent LA screening, several of the stars in attendance took to social media to gush about the film. Per THR, “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris said that “this night was truly one for the books! An amazing and brilliant group of friends got together and witnessed TRUE ART.”
He continued: “The conversation after was the effect of what anything and everything we as creatives do in this industry hope for.”
“I’m still haunted by Emancipation,” wrote Tyler Perry. “It’s truly powerful, moving and captivating. And the conversation afterwards with this group was legendary. Thank you Will Smith for the preview!”
“Emancipation” is due to be released in select theaters on Dec. 2, before it hits Apple TV+ on Dec. 9. Check out the trailer below.
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