“We fall down, but we get back up!” Will Smith, also known as Mr. Box Office, is on to the next big thing. The King Richard actor held an exclusive screening of his upcoming film, Emancipation, for some of his closest peers in the industry.
The screening included a consortium of powerhouse movers and shakers, including beauty brand boss Rihanna, hip hop recording artist A$AP Rocky, filmmaker Tyler Perry, and comedian Dave Chappelle.
“EPIC night!!” Smith posted on Instagram. “Thanx for coming to see #Emancipation. Hope ya’ll enjoyed!!”
Set in 1863, Emancipation is a biopic based on ”Whipped Peter,” the enslaved man who took a photo that was one of the igniting forces behind the push for abolition. Simply going by the name Gordon, the former enslaved endured a tumultuous 10-dat journey to escape his Louisiana plantation owners.
Upon his arrival at a Union encampment, he undergoes a medical exam that reveals the severity of his abuse. A photo is taken and used to inform the public of the need to end slavery.
Antoine Fuqua directs the screenplay written by Bill Collage (Assassin’s Creed). The film stars Smith, Ben Foster, and David Denman.
The film will stream Dec. 9 on Apple TV+
