Will Smith Cries: On the set of Emancipation, Will Smith experienced an inspiring behind-the-scenes moment that will remain forever memorable.
On Sunday, Smith, 54, shared a video on Instagram of himself enjoying a rainstorm while taking a break during the making of Antoine Fuqua’s film.
“I adore the rain, how it brings everything to a standstill – it’s beautiful,” Smith said in the video as he wept while sitting under an umbrella in the woods.
“I want to find a moment for Peter,” the actor shared of his character Peter, a man on the run from slave hunters.
“He finds beauty in nature and recognizes that man is the problem,” Smith said. “The problem lies within men, not God’s world – which is actually quite beautiful.”
Smith shared a picture of one of his best shots from #emancipation on Instagram with the caption, “One of the most beautiful moments shooting #emancipation.”
Jamie Foxx, who had previously praised Smith’s performance in Emancipation as “incredible,” commented on Smith’s Instagram post to once again laud the upcoming movie.
“Great job in this film my brother!” Foxx shared in a comment on the post.
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Smith stars as Peter in Emancipation, a man whose escape from slavery requires him to rely on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love for his family as he runs from slave hunters and through Louisiana on his journey towards freedom.
A future movie will be inspired by “the 1863 photos of ‘Whipped Peter,’ taken during a Union Army medical examination and first published in Harper’s Weekly,” according to a synopsis for the project.
One image from the series “The Scourged Back” depicts a man’s wounded back after suffering severe whipping at the hands of his masters, according to its synopsis. This photograph “ultimately contributed to growing public opposition to slavery”
The film’s December 2 release date qualifies it for the upcoming awards season. Although Smith is prohibited from attending Academy events for 10 years, he still has the potential to be nominated and win at the Oscars.
In addition to Smith and Foster, Emancipation features 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 as guest stars.
Emancipation will hit theaters on Dec. 2 and be available to stream globally on Apple TV+ starting Dec. 9.
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