Tyler Perry bets big with Messengers of war which will be available this Friday on Netflix. This film about a battalion of African-American women during the Second World War may be an opportunity for the superstar – actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, producer – to become known for his work outside the United States.
“Tyler Perry is a role model for us,” says Kerry Washington, who plays a determined soldier in the film. He is an embodiment of the American dream. Starting from nothing, he built his career and his fortune defending the cause of black people. » Messengers of war is a further step on this path by recalling the courage of “battalion 6888”, women sent to the front to ensure the delivery of mail and boost the morale of the troops. “Tyler has a good heart,” says the actress. It is high time that his career goes beyond American borders.”
Beginnings as a comedian
Tyler Perry first became known as a comedian by playing the very funny “Madea”, a delirious grandmother character who made America laugh but who went unnoticed in France. “I grew up with strong women,” he confides. Madea was a way of paying tribute to them. Messengers of war is another. Being a black woman has never been easy. I don’t think this will get better. »
It is difficult to recognize the authoritarian ancestor in front of this elegant fifty-year-old with overwhelming charisma and calm words. “ Messenger of war talks about black and American women, but I believe that I show universal things, important to remember today. These women have been ignored for decades. I am sure that similar cases exist all over the world.”
A strong personality
Tyler Perry founded his own film studio in a building that once housed Confederate soldiers. “I find it symbolic that films like the saga Black Panther or Messengers of war were filmed in a location that hosted soldiers fighting to keep black people enslaved,” he says. Tyler Perry is one of the most famous and richest people in Hollywood today. Although he rarely acts anymore, his face is known throughout the world. We saw it in the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan since he welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their departure from Canada. He is also the godfather of their daughter Lilibet and a friend of Will Smith whom he comforted after the 2022 Oscars. “I appreciate being able to walk around Paris without being identified,” he admits. This is impossible for me in the United States. »
A committed man
He accepts the loss of his peace as collateral damage to achieve a larger goal. “Things have evolved in a positive way for blacks in America,” he says. But it’s two steps forward, one step back. People must understand that for beneficial change to be lasting, we must resist the sirens of extremes which are rotting the world.” Messengers of war is a further step to get this message across.
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