'Selma' Star Calls MLK Jr.'s March to Montgomery a 'Christian Movement;' Says It Pointed Out the Hypocrisy in American Christians
Actor Wendell Pierce offered insightful observations of not only his "Selma" character, Martin Luther King Jr., but of the state of race relations today during a recent interview.
Directed by Ava DuVernay, "Selma" has already generated Oscar buzz on top of receiving four Golden Globe nominations, four Satellite Awards nominations, and a Spirit Award nod. Just six months ago, while the film was being shot in Montgomery, Al., The Christian Post caught up Pierce on the set of the film. There, the Golden Globe-nominated actor revealed his careful research on the leader of the African-American Civil Rights movement. First, Pierce pointed at that the powerful movement, including the march from Selma to Montgomery, was stemmed in Christianity.
"Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Hosea Williams- all of these people were leaders in their own right, it wasn't a coincidence that they were reverends either," the actor told CP at the time. "It was a Christian movement. It was amazing not only because it was [pointing out] the hypocrisy of America but also Christians. It really challenged people's spirit and hearts and what they really believed; how could you be Christian and treat other people that way? I think it was a combination of the two, political strategy and understanding what advocacy could do, and then understanding that there were men and women of faith trying to appeal to the hearts of others to reflect on what they believed in."
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With producers that include Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey, "Selma" follows King's 1965 march campaigning for equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march directly led to President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.
During the interview, Pierce went on to describe his preparation for the role, dismissing the notion that actors simply "get up there and pretend." In fact, the actor questioned real members of King's march in order to enrich his performance.
"What it is, is creating a world that is so strong it induces the behavior, it's making sure, and when you have a historic and real event, it gives you even more opportunity to create that role even stronger," he told CP. "What was [King] thinking, the fear that was there, the courage- and courage is acting in the face of fear, not in the absence of it.
The actor went on to reflect on the lives lost during the African-America Civil Rights Movement, including King's- the pastor was assassinated in Memphis, Tenessee on April 4, 1968- one day after his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" address.
"It's not what we perceive sometimes as just a little political campaigning, it was literally putting life on the line," Pierce said. "It's what they were willing to do for a right and a freedom that you know is yours. When you have all of that detail, it informs and lifts the performance - this whole experience has been like that."
The film's Christmas Day release arrives at a time in history today where race tensions are still high. Protests across the country are taking place over the Aug. 9 death of an unarmed black teenager Michael Brown who was shot by white police officer Darren Wilson. Also, just one week after a grand jury announced that there would be no indictment for Wilson, another white police officer Daniel Pantaleo received no indictment for the July 17 choking of Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York Touching on race relations of today, Pierce noted that growth is ongoing in America.
"We are still maturing as a country, there are some who are still infected with thinking how things should be, capitalism means more ideas, more growth and competition and wealth. The civil rights movement isn't a museum but an ongoing fight, there are some without our best interests at heart."
"Selma" opens in theaters everywhere on Christmas Day.
