Denzel Washington Says ‘We’re All Slaves’ to Politics

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As a cinephile with a heart full of life experiences, I find Denzel Washington‘s insights profoundly resonating. His words echo through the ages, reminding us that power is transient and manipulation is ubiquitous in today’s information age.

In the latest movie “Gladiator II”, a line that resonates deeply post-US election is, “Empires crumble, so do emperors.” This statement could fill some with apprehension while offering comfort to others; power, like time, is transient. The actor, Denzel Washington, portraying Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s film, was questioned about the election’s relevance by Jonathan Dean of The Sunday Times.

Washington remarked, “Everything is about politics. All promises have been broken,” he said. “Given the nature of the information age, those in power must learn to wield these tools effectively to influence the masses. As I stated in my first film, Carbon Copy, ‘Power to the people? Yes, they had it once – it was known as the Stone Age.'” Washington went on to say:

In today’s world, we’re all heavily influenced by information, and that’s a fact. We can label them as crazy or sane, but the truth is, we’re all subject to manipulation from various sources. End of story.

And it isn’t just America that’s f*cked — elections across the world have resulted in some disturbing far-right and fascist trends. “You know, it’s so easy to stand outside America and say this and that. Turn around,” said Washington. “Pick a country, any one.” The interviewer then noted how depressing that answer was, to which Washington replied, “Yeah. So go to the movies.”

Denzel Washington After the Election

Eight years back, I found myself embarking on another media whirlwind, sandwiched between Election Day and the inauguration, promoting my movie “Fences” in December 2016, following Donald Trump’s election victory (a historic moment). Back then, with Barack Obama’s administration drawing to a close, I was frequently quizzed about my thoughts on the incoming Trump years, my hopes for race relations, and how this election would shape our future. During an intense interview on the red carpet with Nicholas Ballasy, I shared my views:

You can’t legislate love. The President of the United States can’t legislate us into liking each other. We have to step forward and ask questions of each other and engage. There’s no law that says, ‘I’m President of America, you all have to get along now.’ So it’s up to us.

In approximately eight years, America appears to be even more fractured, primarily due to ideological differences rather than racial ones. The left and right now exist within distinct echo chambers, holding contrasting facts and interpretations. Concurrently, political figures, corporations, and the media are reaping greater benefits from this division. While both the Republicans and Democrats present distinctive images, they essentially function as representatives of an entrenched power structure that caters to lobbyists, donors, and corporate interests instead of their constituents. Their allegiance lies with capital rather than labor, and they prioritize politics over people. If you’re feeling disheartened, consider watching the movie “Gladiator II“.

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2024-11-18 06:02