Samuel L. Jackson Promises to “Keep Creating” While Receiving MoMA Honor: “Can’t Wait to See What Comes Next”

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As a fan who has grown up admiring the dynamic world of cinema, I can confidently say that Samuel L. Jackson is a living testament to the transformative power of film. His journey from a segregated theater in Tennessee to standing on stage at the Museum of Modern Art, honored by his peers and industry legends, is nothing short of inspiring.

At the 2024 Film Benefit hosted by the Museum of Modern Art, presented by Chanel, Samuel L. Jackson was celebrated on Wednesday. A glittering assembly of friends and colleagues gathered to honor the talented actor.

At the event, Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Walton Goggins, Kenny Leon, along with LaTanya Richardson Jackson (his wife), and Rajendra Roy, who is the chief curator of film at MoMA, were all present. In their absence, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson, and George Lucas expressed support through video messages.

Lucas observed that Jackson isn’t exactly like the characters he portrays; instead, he is genuinely kind, honest, good-natured, helpful, and affectionate. Lee reminisced about their past in Atlanta, remembering that during college, he had faith that if he ever became a filmmaker, talented individuals such as Jackson would grace his films.

This year, Jackson made an appearance in “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and will soon be seen in “The Piano Lesson”. Later, he graced the stage at MoMA to receive his award, humorously remarking, “I’ve prepared a speech with no ‘so-and-sos’ in it.

Following expressing gratitude to his wife, family, and friends, the celebrity addressed the audience by saying, “I’ve consistently felt that films possess immense power. They surpass language barriers, challenge societal norms, and encourage viewers and creators alike to understand the world through different lenses. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to bring diverse characters to life, learning something unique about humanity from each role I played. These lessons stay with me as I move forward.

Tonight, as we honor films, let’s not forget their ability to transform lives and motivate upcoming generations,” Jackson went on, recalling how movies sparked his imagination when he was a child, watching them in a segregated cinema in Tennessee. “Let’s carry on sharing significant stories, tales that stir us, narratives that bring us together… I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what’s next because I plan to keep crafting.

Sofia Coppola, Amanda Seyfried, Meghann Fahy, Danielle Deadwyler, Natasha Lyonne, LL Cool J, Dianna Agron, Nicole Ari Parker, Andrew Rannells, Emily Mortimer, Phoebe Tonkin, Simon Kinberg, David Alan Grier, Malcolm Washington, and Molly Ringwald were some of the attendees at the event. TEMS concluded the night with a live performance.

Since 2011, Chanel has been supporting The Museum of Modern Art’s annual Film Benefit as a sponsor, and since 2021, it has taken the role of the primary film sponsor at MoMA. Joining the list of past honorees for the MoMA Film Benefit are figures like Guillermo del Toro, Penélope Cruz, George Clooney, Laura Dern, Martin Scorsese, Julianne Moore, Tom Hanks, Cate Blanchett, Alfonso Cuarón, Tilda Swinton, Quentin Tarantino, Pedro Almodóvar, Kathryn Bigelow, Tim Burton, and Baz Luhrmann. Jackson is now among these esteemed individuals.

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2024-10-24 23:55