LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� While filming Will Smith routinely drew inspiration from the words 鈥渟acred motivation鈥� that were written on the front page of a script. But the Oscar winner heavily leaned on the phrase even more in recent months, as he tried to overcome the backlash to his Oscars slap and .
鈥淚t鈥檚 like when you can locate and center yourself in your divine purpose, you can withstand anything and everything,鈥� Smith said of the phrase that greeted him when he took on the lead role in Antoine Fuqua's 鈥淓尘补苍肠颈辫补迟颈辞苍,鈥� which is currently in theaters and will be available to stream Friday on Apple TV+. 鈥淪acred motivation鈥� became like a theme for him and his castmates, Smith said.
The film, completed months before Smith strode onto the Oscars stage and about Smith鈥檚 wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, was a grueling shoot. Inspired by an iconic 1863 photo of the scarred back of 鈥淲hipped Peter,鈥� Smith portrays the character Peter 鈥� a man who attempts to escape slavery while he uses his wits to dodge slave hunters and brave alligator-infested Louisiana swamps in his quest for freedom.
The photos of 鈥淲hipped Peter鈥� were taken during a Union Army medical examination that first appeared in Harper鈥檚 Weekly. An image known as 鈥淭he Scourged Back鈥� showed countless mutilated whip marks on Peter鈥檚 bare back that were delivered by his enslavers. The photo contributed to the growing opposition to slavery.
Smith said his character taught him a lesson in overcoming adversity after he faced condemnation, memes and a 10-year Oscars attendance ban. The 鈥渟lap鈥� seemingly overshadowed his own biggest career milestone, which came later in the night: winning his first-ever Academy Award, best actor for 鈥淜ing Richard.鈥�
The backlash rocked Smith, but Peter ultimately helped steer him back on track too.
鈥淧eter has absolutely helped me through these last few months, just reestablishing within myself in what my purpose is in this world,鈥� Smith said in a recent interview, one of his first since the Oscars. He has for his behavior after accepting his ban.
Normally, 鈥淓mancipation鈥� might earn Smith some serious Oscars buzz. He鈥檚 still eligible for nominations and awards, but can鈥檛 personally accept them. Given backlash to 鈥淭he Slap,鈥� Smith mainly hopes that audiences will still watch Fuqua鈥檚 film.
鈥淭his movie was so grueling. Literally across the board, everybody had to devote a hefty amount of suffering to what you see on that screen,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淪o my greatest wish, and I guess I can talk about my greatest fear, is that my team would be penalized for my actions. I鈥檓 out with this film that I love and strictly want my people to get their flowers.鈥�
Fuqua knows Smith made a mistake, but he hopes audiences can move past it. The director believes the story about Peter鈥檚 search for freedom, fighting to get back to his family and being a catalyst in highlighting the horrific side of slavery in 鈥淓mancipation鈥� is much bigger than 鈥淭he Slap.鈥�
鈥淧eter鈥檚 story is so inspiring, especially as a Black man. We go through a lot of things daily, just being Black,鈥� said Fuqua, known for directing 鈥淭raining Day,鈥� 鈥淓qualizer鈥� films and 鈥淭he Magnificent Seven.鈥� He said his new film tackles how certain elements of racism in America that still occur today.
鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 a mistake,鈥� Fuqua said of Smith striking Rock on live television. 鈥淗opefully everybody can get back on track and God bless everyone. But we鈥檙e talking about 400 years of brutality.鈥�
Bingwa, who plays Peter鈥檚 wife Dodienne, credits Smith鈥檚 ability to endure the adversity while pushing forward through it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 in line with the film. I imagine it鈥檚 been a tough period,鈥� said Bingwa, who hopes audiences can learn more about Peter鈥檚 determination to return home after making a promise. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to speak on Will鈥檚 behalf, but he鈥檚 been an inspiration to so many for so long. I love seeing him with his head held high. Everyone can learn from his experience. I just love the way you took it on the chin, you鈥檙e wearing it and walking forward. We鈥檙e all human.鈥�
While promoting the film, Smith held private screenings for several influential figures including Rihanna, Tyler Perry, Dave Chappelle, LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates along with students at Morehouse College. He garnered a great amount of support from those individuals, giving him somewhat a sigh of relief.
Each time Smith harkened back to Peter鈥檚 story, the more he became empowered to share his character鈥檚 journey.
鈥淚 feel very comfortable in this current situation with this project, with these people,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel cleansed. I feel purified and transformed in many ways. And as one of the lessons from Peter is, 鈥楽uffering leads to salvation.鈥� So I am comfortable taking my medicine."
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
