Hide the kids. A storm is coming this December in the form of a Will Smith-starring Oscar-baity slavery drama.
That’s right, Apple has decided to release Antoine Fuqua’s “Emancipation.” The film was screened for a few African-American groups on Saturday afternoon in DC and I heard it slapped hard.
A teaser has also been released by Apple. What’s with the color grading? There are some very faint hints of color, but it looks like black and white — kind of the same look Sarah Polley used for “Women Talking.” I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt since the DP here is the brilliant Robert Richardson.
Judging by the title, you’d think this film was about Will Smith’s marriage, but, no, “Emancipation” is set in 1863, and Smith plays a real life slave named Peter from a Louisiana plantation.
Regardless, it looks more-than-decent. Smith even sheds some of the remaining tears that were left from his Oscar speech.
Apple wants to crash the Oscar race. They have no idea when Marty/Thelma will be ready and they don’t want to take the risk. The question remains: will Oscar voters even want to touch this movie with a ten foot pole?
Apple is absolutely making the right decision here, they SHOULD release the $120 million costing “Emancipation” — not only will it make it eligible for awards consideration, but it’ll also get rid of their biggest headache this year.