Emancipation (2022 film)

Last updated

Emancipation
Emancipation Release Poster.jpg
Official release poster
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Written byWilliam N. Collage
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Robert Richardson
Edited by Conrad Buff IV
Music by Marcelo Zarvos
Production
companies
Distributed by Apple TV+
Release dates
  • December 2, 2022 (2022-12-02)(United States)
  • December 9, 2022 (2022-12-09)(Apple TV+)
Running time
132 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$120–162 million [1] [2]

Emancipation is a 2022 American historical action thriller film [3] [4] [5] directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by William N. Collage, and co-produced by Will Smith, who stars as a runaway slave headed for Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the 1860s, after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in secessionist Confederate states, [6] surviving the swamps while being chased by slave catchers and their dogs. Ben Foster stars as a ruthless slave hunter and Charmaine Bingwa as an enslaved wife and mother.

Contents

The film is loosely based on the life of a self-emancipated slave, known as either Gordon or "Whipped Peter". [7] That story was made famous by the photograph of a man's bare back heavily scourged from an overseer's whippings, which was published worldwide as magazine illustrations in 1863, and gave the abolitionist movement proof of the cruelty of slavery. [8] Producer Joey McFarland began researching that story in 2018, and hired Collage to write the script.

The film was officially announced in June 2020, with Fuqua to direct and Smith to star. Filming was in Louisiana between July and August 2021, with Apple paying US$130 million to acquire the rights to the film, outbidding several other studios.

It was screened in Washington, D.C., on October 1, 2022, and released in select cinemas on December 2, 2022, then streamed on December 9 on Apple TV+. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Smith's performance, but criticized the screenplay and its handling of real-life events.

Plot

In a cotton plantation in 1863, Peter is seen sitting on the floor of a house knelt before his wife, Dodienne, alongside their children sitting around him. Suddenly, a group of white men appear at the doorway and snatch a reluctant Peter out of the house, with him putting up a fight until one of the men points a gun at his wife’s head. Peter is then hit in the back of his head, put into a cage at the back of a carriage, and is taken away from his family to a different site. He shouts to his wife and children that he will come back and they should stay together. On his journey, he sees slaves working at the roadside and the heads of killed slaves on poles. Peter is then sent to work on constructing a railroad in Clinton, Louisiana.

The slaves are treated with cruelty by white guards and their boss, Fassel. They are whipped, set upon by dogs, branded and dragged by horses if they try to run away or shot if they stop working because of exhaustion. Peter tells the disheartened slaves to just believe in God and pray.

One day, Peter has had enough, and he uses an opportune moment to fight back at the white men along with other slaves. They escape and run away, while being chased by the white men on horseback and vicious dogs. One slave is unable to swim across a river due to fear of alligators and is caught. After revealing the other slaves’ locations to Fassel, he is then freed and tries to cross the river, but he is then shot and later eaten by the gators. The three remaining men split up and go about their separate ways. Peter has many close encounters with being found, but somehow manages to stay hidden from his enslavers. When Peter is close to Baton Rouge, Fassel catches up to him and is about to shoot him, when he is suddenly shot in the neck by a black member of the 1st Louisiana Native Guard.

Peter is taken to a hospital to recover. A photograph of his back is then taken and is vowed to be shown all over the world to aid the end of slavery. Peter then decides to join the army to help free his family. After a victorious battle against Confederate soldiers, he returns to various cotton plantations to free the slaves, while also reuniting with Dodienne and their children. In the epilogue, the text states that it is thanks to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation that by 1865, over 4 million slaves have been freed.

Cast

Production

Development and casting

On June 15, 2020, it was reported that Antoine Fuqua would direct Will Smith in Emancipation, based on a spec script written by William N. Collage. [9] Producer Joey McFarland, who had started researching and developing the film in 2018, recruited Collage to write the script. [10] Fuqua said:

It's almost two years now from when I first read the script. It hit my heart and my soul in so many ways that are impossible to convey but I think you understand. We're watching some of the feeling that I had, in the streets right now. There's sadness, there's anger, there's love, faith and hope ... That's important to see, and the most hopeful thing that I'm seeing, that they're not going to stand for it anymore. [9]

Warner Bros, MGM, Lionsgate, and Universal Pictures bid on the film before Apple ultimately won distribution rights for over $130 million. [8] [11] [12] In August 2021, Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Gilbert Owuor, and Mustafa Shakir joined the cast. [13] Smith was paid $35 million for his involvement. [14]

Filming

Principal photography was expected to begin on May 3, 2021, in Los Angeles. [15] It was later set to begin on June 21, 2021, in Georgia, [16] but on April 12, it was announced that the film would be shot elsewhere due to the recently-enacted Election Integrity Act of 2021. Smith and Fuqua said in a joint statement: "We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access." [16] [17] The location move was reported to have cost approximately $15 million. [16] Filming was announced to take place in New Orleans from July 12 to August 21, 2021. [18] On August 2, filming paused for five days due to several positive COVID-19 tests. [19] Additional casting for the film was announced in November and December. [20] [21]

Music

The film score is by Marcelo Zarvos, who described the music as "spiritual and untraditional" per Fuqua's suggestions. [22] He employed a 70-piece orchestra, a 40-member choir, and soloists from around the world, for traditional American and African sounds. The soundtrack was released by Lakeshore Records on December 9, 2022. [23]

Release

A screening of Emancipation was held at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 51st Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., on October 1, 2022, with Smith and Fuqua in attendance to give a subsequent Q&A discussion. [24] It was screened in Los Angeles, on October 24, 2022. [25] The film premiered in theaters on December 2, 2022, and was streamed on Apple TV+ on December 9. [26]

While Smith had been attached to the film in 2020, [9] and principal photography had moved forward in the summer of 2021, [18] the controversy over Smith slapping Chris Rock at the March 2022 94th Academy Awards was cited in May 2022, when the film's release was delayed to a tentative 2023 date; production delays and an overcrowded film release schedule from Apple were also cited in the May announcement. [27] It was subsequently moved to its final date.

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 45% of 155 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10.The website's consensus reads: "Emancipation works as an action movie – albeit one that's uncomfortably at odds with its awkward handling of the real-life events that inspired its stirring story." [28] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. [29]

The slapping incident was referenced in some reviews; [7] in a positive first-day review from Screen International 's Tim Grierson, before the collective mixed to average reviews had been published, he hoped that enough positive reviews might overcome the possibility that the "scandal may temper audiences' enthusiasm" to see the film. [30]

Accolades

Accolades received by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Black Reel Awards February 6, 2023 Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female Charmaine BingwaNominated [31]
Outstanding Cinematography Robert RichardsonNominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 16, 2022 Original Score in a Feature Film Marcelo ZarvosNominated [32]
NAACP Image Awards February 25, 2023 Outstanding Motion Picture EmancipationNominated [33]
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture Antoine FuquaNominated
Outstanding Costume DesignFrancine Jamison-Tanchuck'Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Will SmithWon
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion PictureThe cast of EmancipationNominated
Women Film Critics Circle December 19, 2022Invisible Woman AwardCharmaine BingwaWon [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Fuqua</span> American film director (born 1965)

Antoine Fuqua is an American film director known for his work in the action and thriller genres. He was originally known as a director of music videos, and made his film debut in 1998 with The Replacement Killers. His critical breakthrough was the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Smith filmography</span>

Will Smith is an American actor, rapper and film producer. His breakthrough came when he played a fictionalised version of himself in the 1990s television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The role brought him international recognition and two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy. He also served as an executive producer on 24 episodes of the series. Two years later, Smith made his film debut in the drama Where the Day Takes You, where he appeared as a disabled homeless man. In 1995, he starred as a police officer with Martin Lawrence in Michael Bay's Bad Boys. The following year, Smith appeared as a Marine Corps pilot with Jeff Goldblum in Roland Emmerich's science fiction film Independence Day. The film grossed over $817 million at the worldwide box office and was the highest grossing of 1996. In 1997, he starred as Agent J in the science fiction film Men in Black, a role he reprised in its sequels Men in Black II (2002) and Men in Black 3 (2012).

<i>The Equalizer</i> (film) 2014 American film by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer is a 2014 American vigilante action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Richard Wenk. It is based on the 1980s TV series of the same title and the first of three films starring Denzel Washington. The cast includes Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo. Washington plays Robert McCall, an ex-Marine and DIA officer, who reluctantly returns to action to protect a teenage trafficking victim from the members of the Russian mafia.

<i>The Magnificent Seven</i> (2016 film) American film by Antoine Fuqua

The Magnificent Seven is a 2016 American Western action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk. It is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, which itself was a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 film Seven Samurai. The film stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier and Peter Sarsgaard. It was the final film of composer James Horner, who died the previous year after composing part of the score. His friend Simon Franglen completed the music. Principal photography began on May 18, 2015, north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mustafa Shakir</span> American actor (born 1976)

Mustafa Shakir is an American actor known for his portrayal as Bushmaster in Marvel's Luke Cage, Big Mike in The Deuce and Jet Black in Cowboy Bebop (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charmaine Bingwa</span> Australian actress

Charmaine Bingwa is an Australian actress. She is known for her role as Carmen Moyo in the CBS series The Good Fight (2021–2022). She appeared in Black Box and in Emancipation alongside Will Smith. Bingwa won the 2018 Heath Ledger Scholarship award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple TV+</span> American video streaming service

Apple TV+ is an American subscription OTT streaming service owned and operated by Apple Inc. Launched on November 1, 2019, it offers a selection of original production film and television series called Apple Originals. The service was announced during the Apple Special Event of March 2019, where entertainers from Apple TV+ projects appeared onstage, including Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, and Steven Spielberg. The service can be accessed through Apple's website and through the Apple TV app, which has gradually become available on many Apple devices and some major competing digital media players, including some smart TV models and video-game consoles.

<i>Infinite</i> (film) 2021 film by Antoine Fuqua

Infinite is a 2021 American science fiction action film directed by Antoine Fuqua, from a screenplay written by Ian Shorr based on a story by Todd Stein. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Cookson, Jason Mantzoukas, Rupert Friend, Toby Jones and Dylan O'Brien.

<i>The Guilty</i> (2021 film) American crime thriller by Antoine Fuqua

The Guilty is a 2021 American crime thriller film directed and produced by Antoine Fuqua, from a screenplay by Nic Pizzolatto. A remake of the 2018 Danish film of the same name, the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Christina Vidal, with the voices of Ethan Hawke, Riley Keough, Eli Goree, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Paul Dano, and Peter Sarsgaard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Studios</span> Film and television production company

Apple Studios LLC is an American film, television and in-house production company that is a subsidiary of Apple Inc. It specializes in developing and producing original television series and films for Apple's digital video streaming service Apple TV+ as well as films that are intended for theatrical releases.

<i>Assassin</i> (2023 film) 2023 film by Jesse Atlas

Assassin is a 2023 American science fiction action film starring Nomzamo Mbatha, Dominic Purcell and Bruce Willis in his final film role. It was directed by Jesse Atlas, in his feature film directorial debut, written by Aaron Wolfe, and is based on Atlas and Wolfe's short film Let Them Die Like Lovers.

<i>Ghosted</i> (2023 film) American film directed by Dexter Fletcher

Ghosted is a 2023 American romantic action-adventure comedy film directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by the writing teams of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, from a story by Reese and Wernick. The film stars Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Mike Moh, Amy Sedaris, Tim Blake Nelson, Marwan Kenzari, and Anna Deavere Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westbrook (company)</span> American entertainment company

Westbrook Inc. is an American multimedia and entertainment venture company founded by actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The company was founded in 2019, in order to execute the Smith Family's global content with Will Smith's production company Overbrook Entertainment becoming one of its subsidiaries. It is headquartered in Calabasas, California, with 80 employees as of March 2021.

Richard Wenk is an American film screenwriter and director best known for his work on The Equalizer film series (2014–2023), which has every installment rated by CinemaScore at the A range.

<i>The Equalizer 3</i> 2023 film by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer 3 is a 2023 American vigilante action-thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua. It is a sequel to The Equalizer 2 and the third and final installment of The Equalizer trilogy, based on the television series of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington, reprising his role as retired U.S. Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, with Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, and Remo Girone in supporting roles. In the film, McCall discovers that his new friends in a small town in South Italy are intimidated by Camorra members, where he sets out to save them from the threat.

The Equalizer is an American vigilante action thriller multimedia franchise initially co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. It originated with a CBS television series from 1985 to 1989 starring Edward Woodward. The concept was thereafter rebooted twice with a trilogy of movies starring Denzel Washington and a re-imagined 2021 television series, also on CBS, starring Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall. Original co-creator Michael Sloan has written a series of novels featuring Robert McCall, with the first volume published in 2014.

<i>Blitz</i> (2024 film) War drama film by Steve McQueen

Blitz is a 2024 fictionalised war drama film written, produced and directed by Steve McQueen. The film stars Saoirse Ronan and Elliot Heffernan in the lead roles, along with Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, and Stephen Graham in supporting roles.

<i>Emancipation</i> (soundtrack) 2022 film score by Marcelo Zarvos

Emancipation (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film) is the soundtrack to the 2022 film of the same name directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Will Smith. The original score is composed by Marcelo Zarvos, who earlier worked on Fuqua's directorials Brooklyn's Finest (2009), What's My Name: Muhammad Ali (2019) and The Guilty (2021). The score was released by Lakeshore Records on December 9, 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Emancipation (2022)". The Numbers . Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search" (Type "Sacred Motivation" in the search box). Louisiana Economic Development. April 6, 2022. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  3. ↑ Truitt, Brian. "'Emancipation' review: A powerhouse Will Smith lifts the wobbly Apple TV+ action thriller". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ Coyle, Jake (December 1, 2022). "Review: Will Smith-led 'Emancipation' is an action thriller". Associated Press . Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  5. ↑ Dargis, Manohla (December 1, 2022). "'Emancipation' Review: Will Smith in a Brutal Journey". The New York Times . Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  6. ↑ "The Emancipation Proclamation". National Archives. October 6, 2015. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  7. 1 2 McIntosh, Steven (December 1, 2022). "Will Smith: Have Emancipation reviews been influenced by the slap?". BBC News. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 24, 2020). "Huge Virtual Cannes Battle: Bids North Of $75 Million On Antoine Fuqua-Will Smith Runaway Slave Tale 'Emancipation'". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 15, 2020). "Antoine Fuqua & Will Smith Runaway Slave Thriller 'Emancipation' To Be Introduced At Virtual Cannes Market; Based On Indelible 'Scourged Back' Photo". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  10. ↑ McNary, Dave (June 24, 2020). "Studios Bidding Big for Will Smith-Antoine Fuqua's 'Emancipation'". Variety . Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  11. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 26, 2020). "Apple & Warner Bros Down To Wire On 'Emancipation' At Virtual Cannes; Bids In Record Setting $130 Million Gross Range". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  12. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 1, 2020). "Apple Wins 'Emancipation'; Will Smith's Westbrook Relationship With Toppers Zack Van Amburg & Jamie Erlicht At Sony Helped Seal Festival Record Pre-Buy". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  13. ↑ Grobar, Matt (August 3, 2021). "Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Gilbert Owuor & Mustafa Shakir Join Antoine Fuqua's 'Emancipation'". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt; Rubin, Rebecca (July 20, 2022). "Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for Joker 2, Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More". Variety . Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Emancipation - Production Listing". Productionlist.com. March 15, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 Fleming, Mike Jr (April 12, 2021). "Will Smith & Antoine Fuqua Confirm Georgia Exit Of 'Emancipation': "We Cannot In Good Conscience Provide Economic Support" After Recent Election Law – Update". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  17. ↑ Wicker, Jewel (April 12, 2021). "Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua film pulled from Georgia over voting bill". The Guardian . Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  18. 1 2 "Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Emancipation". Variety Insight . Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  19. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2021). "'Emancipation' Will Smith-Antoine Fuqua Apple Movie Pauses Production After Positive Covid Tests". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  20. ↑ Grobar, Matt (November 11, 2021). "Antoine Fuqua's 'Emancipation' Adds Steven Ogg, Grant Harvey, Ronnie Gene Blevins & More". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  21. ↑ Grobar, Matt (December 2, 2021). "Antoine Fuqua's Apple Thriller 'Emancipation' Adds Newcomer Imani Pullum". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  22. ↑ Burlingame, Jon (December 2, 2022). "Music of 'Emancipation': Marcelo Zarvos Evokes African, Haitian Sounds for Will Smith Slavery Escape Drama". Variety. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  23. ↑ "'Emancipation' Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  24. ↑ Pina, Christy (October 1, 2022). "Will Smith's Apple Thriller 'Emancipation' Gets First Screening". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  25. ↑ Gardner, Chris (October 24, 2022). "Will Smith Hosts "Epic" Screening of 'Emancipation' With Rihanna, Dave Chappelle and Tyler Perry as Guests". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  26. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 3, 2022). "Apple Sets December Theatrical Release Date For Will Smith's 'Emancipation'; Watch First Trailer & Read Q&A With Director Antoine Fuqua". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  27. ↑ Anderson, Jenna (May 6, 2022). "Apple Delays New Will Smith Movie Due to Chris Rock Slapping Controversy". Comic Book Resources . Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Emancipation". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved November 22, 2024. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  29. ↑ "Emancipation". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  30. ↑ Grierson, Tim (December 1, 2022). "'Emancipation': Review". screendaily.com . Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  31. ↑ Complex, Valerie (December 15, 2022). "Black Reel Awards Nominations Announced For 23rd Annual Ceremony; 'The Woman King' And 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Lead With 14 Nominations". Deadline . Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  32. ↑ Grein, Paul (November 16, 2022). "Rihanna's 'Wakanda Forever' Song, Terence Blanchard Win at 2022 Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Full List". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  33. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (January 12, 2023). "'Abbott Elementary,' 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' and 'The Woman King' Dominate NAACP Image Award Nominations". Variety . Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  34. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 19, 2022). "The 2022 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.