Emancipation

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    Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua Pull 'Emancipation' Filming From Georgia to Protest Voting Restrictions

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    WENN/Derrick Salters

    In a statement announcing their decision to move production of the slavery drama to another state, Smith and Fuqua slam the government ‘that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access.’

    Apr 13, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua are making an actual move to show their stance on the restrictive voting laws of Georgia. They are withdrawing the production of their upcoming movie “Emancipation” from the state due to the new law.

    Smith and Fuqua, who are both producing the slavery drama, announced the decision on Monday, April 12. “At this moment in time, the Nation is coming to terms with its history and is attempting to eliminate vestiges of institutional racism to achieve true racial justice,” they said in a joint statement. Slamming the government for imposing the new law, they stated, “We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access.”

    Smith and Fuqua went on stressing, “The new Georgia voting laws are reminiscent of voting impediments that were passed at the end of Reconstruction to prevent many Americans from voting. Regrettably, we feel compelled to move our film production work from Georgia to another state.”

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    The movie was initially scheduled to begin filming in Georgia on June 21. It’s currently unknown where the film’s production will move and if it will cause a delay on the start date. The drama becomes the first major production to leave the state because of the new law.

    In addition to producing via his media company Westbrook Inc, Smith is starring in “Emancipation” as Peter, a fugitive from slavery who is fleeing Louisiana in the hopes of traveling north to freedom. Fuqua, meanwhile, is also directing from a script by William N. Collage. The project has been sold to Apple Studios in a deal reportedly valued at $120 million.

    The new rules that were passed by the state legislature shorten the duration of absentee voting, require absentee voters to produce identification, limit the use of drop boxes and make it a crime to hand out free food or water to voters standing in line. Critics have maintained that the regulations amount to voter suppression, aimed at reducing the turnout of people of color.

    In the wake of the new voting restrictions, filmmakers like James Mangold and actors such as Mark Hamill have vowed to boycott film and television production in Georgia. Meanwhile, Georgia-based corporations such as Delta and Coca-Cola have condemned the law and Major League Baseball opted to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta.

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      Will Smith's Slavery Movie Bought by Apple for $120M in Bidding War

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      WENN

      The runaway slave movie ‘Emancipation’ marks the largest film festival acquisition in history after being bought by Apple bosses for more than $120 million.
      Jul 2, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Apple Studios bosses have won the bidding war for Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua’s new runaway slave film “Emancipation”.
      The $120 million (£96 million)-plus deal, brokered during the Cannes Virtual Market, marks the largest film festival acquisition in history and lands Apple chiefs the world rights over rivals at Warner Bros.
      The deal closed on Tuesday night (30Jun20), according to Deadline, and the film will now premiere in theatres and on Apple TV+.
      It will be produced by Apple Studios, alongside Smith, Fuqua and their associates at Westbrook Studios and Fuqua Films.
      The film is inspired by an 1863 photo, titled “The Scourged Back”, which features the bare back of a slave, scarred by deep whip marks delivered by a plantation boss.
      Fuqua says, “The photograph was the first viral image of the brutality of slavery that the world saw, which is interesting, when you put it into perspective with today and social media and what the world is seeing, again. You can’t fix the past, but you can remind people of the past and I think we have to, in an accurate, real way.”
      Production is scheduled to begin in early 2021.

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      Will Smith Partners Up With Director Antoine Fuqua for Tortured Slave-Inspired Drama

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      WENN

      ‘Emancipation’ will present a story based on historical photos taken of runaway slave Peter’s back, which revealed shocking scars from injuries caused by his brutal owners.
      Jun 16, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Will Smith is set to team with director Antoine Fuqua for a historical drama inspired by the horrifying image of a tortured slave’s back.
      “Emancipation” will feature Smith as a runaway slave named Peter, who evaded hunters and the dangerous swamps of Louisiana to reach freedom in the 1860s.
      Written by Willam N. Collage, the story is based on photos taken of Peter’s back during a medical examination, which revealed shocking scars from injuries caused by his brutal owners. Known as “the scourged back,” the shot first appeared in The Independent in May, 1863 and went on to serve as a symbol of the gruesome realities of slavery.
      “It was the first viral image of the brutality of slavery that the world saw, which is interesting when you put it into perspective with today and social media and what the world is seeing, again,” Fuqua tells Deadline. “You can’t fix the past, but you can remind people of the past and I think we have to, in an accurate, real way.”
      “We all have to look for a brighter future for us all, for everyone. That’s one of the most important reasons to do things right now, is show our history. We have to face our truth before we can move forward.”
      Fuqua added that he is thrilled to be collaborating with Smith: “He’s focused and is a serious actor and producer,” the director said. “Will cares about every aspect of it, from storyboards to the characters and the technique. Will’s a solid producer, which helps. And having an actor who gives his heart to a project like this… there’s a small group of guys like that. Denzel (Washington), Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Will, guys that dive in with you all the way.”

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