The actress is the protagonist of the feature film that tells the story of the warrior women of Dahomey – now Benin – in the 19th century.
The actress Viola Daviswinner of Oscarclaimed that the future of high-budget cinema with the presence of women of color in Hollywood is at stake with the weekend premiere of the epic The woman kingin which she plays an African warrior.
Speaking to the AFP, Davis said on Wednesday the 14th that he feels intense pressure and mixed emotions, because he knows his performance in this film will be judged in a way that films with white directors and cast are not.
“First of all, the film must make money. And I’m conflicted about that, because we only have one or two opportunities, “she said.” If it doesn’t make money, does that mostly mean that black women, dark-skinned black women, can’t be a worldwide blockbuster? “
“That’s it, period. And now they use the data for that, why The woman king did A, B and C. And that’s what makes me conflict. “
“Because it’s just not true. We don’t do it with white films. If one film fails, you make another and you make another anyway.”
The woman kingfrom Sony imageswhich tells the story of the warrior women of Dahomey – now Benin – in the 19th century, is in many ways a step into the unknown for a major Hollywood studio.
with the black director Gina Prince-Bythewood and a predominantly female and black cast, the title will premiere in more than three thousand theaters. Its budget is approximately $ 100 million, including awareness raising.
Davis, the only African American woman to win a Oscara Emmy it’s a Tonyspent six years trying to get the film off the ground, with studios and producers reluctant to gamble.
taste
Davis plays veteran warrior Nanisca, who trains a new generation to defend themselves against a stronger rival kingdom and European slavers. The all-female army of the kingdom of Dahomey served as inspiration for the elite warriors of black Panther (2018), which raised $ 1.3 billion globally.
Davis asked movie-loving audiences to prove they like the movies The woman king can be successful without being part of a superhero franchise. “We are all involved together, right? We know we need each other. We know that we are all committed to inclusion and diversity,” said the artist.
“So if you can spend your money to see avatarif you can spend your money to see Titanicso you can also spend it to see The woman king“he added.” Because that’s the thing. It’s not even that it’s just the role of black women, the cultural relevance of it. It’s a really fun movie. “
“And if we’re really the same, then I challenge you to prove it,” Davis said.
he won’t see us
The film received many positive reviews after its world premiere in Toronto International Film Festival. Variety described it as “a captivating display of dark power”, with Davis in “his fiercest role to date”.
However, according to Davis, the scenes of heavy battles sparked criticism and misogyny among the black community. “Even in the black community there are people who say, ‘Oh, these dark-skinned women, why do they have to be so masculine? Why can’t they be more beautiful? Why can’t it be a romantic comedy?'” She pointed out.
“Well, if this movie doesn’t make any money on September 16 – and I’m 150% sure it will – but if it doesn’t, guess what: they won’t see us again,” she said. “That’s the truth. I wish it were different.” / AFP
Source: Terra
Emily Jhon is a product and service reviewer at Gossipify, known for her honest evaluations and thorough analysis. With a background in marketing and consumer research, she offers valuable insights to readers. She has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Marketing and Consumer Research from the University of Oxford.
