click here to view this video

The Great Debaters’ co-star Jurnee Smollett recently recalled in vivid detail the chills and dread that shot up her spine while shooting poignant scenes for the Golden Globe-nominated film. Denzel Whitaker (no relation to either co-stars Denzel Washington or Forest Whitaker) said he occasionally felt pierced with white-hot anger that alternated with unabashed graciousness for playing the key role in an all-black, Depression-era debate team that achieved the seemingly impossible.

Seventy years after the actual team overcame rabid racism to dethrone elite universities and win the national debate title, Smollett and Whitaker feel absolute elation. The Great Debaters won four awards at the 39th annual NAACP Image Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in nearby Los Angeles. Smollett won best actress and Whitaker pocketed best supporting actor, while director-actor Denzel Washington won for best actor in the Oprah Winfrey-produced film that was voted the year’s best. “Incredible! Very incredible,” blared Whitaker. “I’m very proud tonight.”

Washington, who was also lauded for his blockbuster crime epic, American Gangster, beamed like a proud parent at the very believable performances from its young stars. You half expected him to pass out celebratory cigars. “I’m very happy that the young actors are being recognized for their work,” said the two-time Oscar winner, as he tried to deflect the spotlight from him toward the other actors on stage.

Smollett treasured spending time with the real-life Samantha Booke, the only female on the historic debate team. She said she devoured any and all information Booke offered about life in the segregated Deep South. “It was amazing,” Smollett gushed. “I just asked her every possible question I could, and I’m still in touch with her. She’s an amazing woman. She’s just so wise. She is walking history.”

Washington, who also directed the two-hour, PG-13 rated film officially announced that he intends to move incrementally into the next phase of his illustrious career. “God willing, I will be directing the rest of my life,” said Washington, who is shooting the remake of The Taking the Pelham 123 opposite John Travolta. “I prefer directing. They just don’t pay enough, so I keep acting [as well],” he mused to outbursts of laughter.

At press time, The Great Debaters had alreadygrossed $30 million at the box office.
–terry shropshire

Send this Article to a Friend
facebook