At 38, David Oyelowo already has a successful career in Hollywood. But the role of Martin Luther King, the British thought about for years. He talks about the filming conditions of “Selma”, Alabama (USA), a film that has been slow to happen.
Do you remember the first time you heard about Martin Luther King?
David Oyelowo. I think it’s seeing a documentary about him on TV. I was very young, I saw this man speak before a microphone, and it impressed me. I’m not sure I understand what he was saying, but his manner of speaking, his dignity, his confidence had impressed me.
It’s true that you you are beaten for eight years to get this role?
Yes, that’s right. I read the script for the first time in 2007. Before that, I never had the ambition to embody, or even like him. Read this script I learned about the man, his character. This resonated with me. I am a Christian, and I saw it as a call from God to do so. But the time of casting director thought I was not ready to do it, and he was right. I was too young, I lacked experience. I had to wait until 2012 to hear about that. It was a long process, but I fought to win the role.
What was the most difficult to become the character? His voice, his physical?
The most difficult thing is to succeed in making the link between public figure, one we know, that we saw in the meetings, and the private man, having difficult conversations with his wife, playing with his children , speaking with his friends. It was two different people.
Was it an ordinary man?
It was someone extraordinary. There were so many qualities! This is why it was chosen to drive the movement. No one else had the ability to communicate with people, the press, the president, as effectively. It was the voice of the people who did not speak. He had an emotional approach to things but never spoke in a tone of anger. There are very few people, even today, that can be as spiritual, and especially to be humble enough to not be seen as stars. The glory was not his goal. But it was not a Superman, he remained a man among others, with its weaknesses.
What was the atmosphere when you turned in Selma, Alabama a southern state in which racism has long raged?
There was no voltage. You know, the campaign of Selma is not the most famous of the movement for blacks. The most famous is the march on Washington, with the famous I have a dream . But Selma was the longest. There were 381 days of protest, which were to change the law on the right to vote for blacks. The people were very happy to receive us because they know the importance of what happened. A Montgomery also. Consider that in 1965, Dr. King was not allowed to make a speech on the steps of the State Parliament. For a scene, you had to install a Confederate flag on the building, but they refused: it symbolized a past to which they do not want to be identified
When walking. on deck, was there a particular emotion?
Yes, a lot. People walking with us were present when it happened. Imagine, fifty years later. With Oprah Winfrey produced the film, a black president in the White House. This shows that there has been incredible changes.
As a British actor, is particularly proud to play Martin Luther King?
Yes I Am. I knew it would raise questions. Why English? It’s extra pressure for me. But it served me to be British. I did not come with too bulky luggage.
Have you suffered racism in your life?
Not the kind of racism that we see in the film. But the little things. Even my job in the film industry. If Dr. King were white, there would have been many movies on it. This is where lies the degree of racism. The best way to combat racism is to be excellent. The more you are excellent, the less people have excuses for you close a door in his face. My way to combat prejudice, it is always better to be
In March 1965, the Rev. Martin Luther King began a peaceful march accompanied by 600 activists from the black cause to Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, to demand voting rights for blacks. The demonstration was violently repressed by the police on a bridge that crosses the city of Selma. For the hero of the community, a hard fight against the then engages President Johnson.
“Selma” is a successful biopic because it renders correctly and subtle tensions of an era, the political wrangling of leaders ‘Then, the emotion and the struggle of African-American people face a racist local power embodied by the ruthless Governor Wallace (great Tim Roth). Especially because it’s not hagiography: in his public life as in his private life, Pastor Luther King is not always shown in the best light. This gives credence to the story. And sober interpretation of David Oyelowo reflects this reality.
American Biopic Ava DuVernay, David Oyelowo, Tim Roth, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey.
Duration: 2 h 2
° * Not at all A little Moderately ** *** **** Many Passionately
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