Viola Davis Delivers Impassioned Speech At ‘Woman King’ TIFF World Premiere: “Magnum Opus” Is For “Risk-takers & Naysayers” & Actress’ “Six-Year Old Self”
10.09.2022 - 02:33
/ deadline.com
Usually the best said is saved for last at a TIFF premiere, meaning the biggest speeches come during a pic’s Q & A. However, The Woman King star and producer Viola Davis brought the house down with a passionate speech about her “magnum opus” film, and how she hopes it inspires generations of Black women.
The TriStar release directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, comes out next Friday, Sept. 16, and has been known to be a possible world-building franchise. This morning, TriStar President Nicole Brown spoke at TIFF about how the female-driven Black period pic was a roll of the dice sans really any comps — except possibly Braveheart.
The movie, with a story by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens, is a historical epic inspired by the true events that happened in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. John Boyega also stars with Lashana Lynch.
“You know what? I feel like my entire life, I’ve allowed myself to be defined by a culture, I’ve allowed myself to be defined by the naysayers. I’ve been dropped in a profession that’s defined by depravation. And so, a lot of times, you just allow other people to define you. At 56 years old, I’ve come to the realization that I can define myself,” said the Oscar-winning actress.
“This film is for the risktakers. This film is for the people who maybe even are the naysayers — who never believed that a Black woman, especially dark-skinned women can lead a global box office.”
“This film is for the Black women who are out there on the periphery, a conduit, a vehicle to shine a beautiful and glorious light. I’m really proud to be a part of that,” the Fences and Doubt actress continued.
“I always said this film is my magnum opus. But it’s my magnum