At 69 years old, Denzel Washington, one of the most iconic actors of his generation, is still in great shape! This Wednesday at the cinema, will be released Gladiator 2by Ridley Scott, in which he plays the Roman emperor Macrinus. A role which created controversy, with some believing that a Roman emperor could not be played by a black actor. In an interview that the star gave us, Denzel Washington was annoyed by these oppositions between “black roles” and « white roles”, denouncing systemic racism in Hollywood, despite some progress. Words that are more relevant than ever today…
Interview: The years go by, but you play characters in great shape!
Denzel Washington : Just say I'm old! Anyway, I'm still 29, so I don't know what you're talking about! (Laughs) In truth, time saves me…
You are an icon today. But before experiencing glory, you experienced difficult times…
Yes, when I was younger, I couldn't get my head around the idea that you had to work hard in life. So I drank wine to ease my pain. I was such an alcoholic that I hid my bottles in my office when I worked at the postal service!
How did you get out of it?
It was at university, during summer classes that I had to take to catch up. I was asked to do a show for children. When I left the stage, one of my friends told me that I had done great…
So what?
That was all it took: I had before my eyes the answer to my years of wandering! And so I signed up for drama classes. It was thanks to comedy and cinema that I was able to get out of it.
Was your childhood difficult?
Yes, very tumultuous. When I was a child, I was often beaten by thugs. I was bullied by kids older than me. It was very hard and I really almost went wrong. That's why I educated my children by telling them not to hang out in the streets.
Speaking of education, you are a very religious man…
Yes, I go to church regularly. I often donate to the poor. I believe very strongly in God, and I think that his strength is greater than that of the devil. When you fall into vice, you feed the devil. Satan feeds on the fear of men, that's why you shouldn't go home without his game…
You have been married for a long time (41 years old, Editor’s note.) and you have four children. You have spoken several times about the importance of united families, especially among African-Americans…
I believe that black children need a father even more than others, because the world is against them as soon as they come into contact with the system. My family means everything to me and my wife is my hero. She sacrificed her career to raise our four children. When you're always playing a role other than your own, the only place you're sure to be real is at home. I have sometimes refused filming to be able to spend the holidays with my children.
And what do you think of Hollywood's attitude towards black people, despite developments?
There is still racism in the United States, but in a more subtle way. Today, oppression is above all economic. The world is multiracial, but Hollywood would like the United States to be a white society. I can't stand all these black roles pitted against white roles anymore. There should be roles. Point.
Are you still a fulfilled man today?
Yes. You know, I see so much suffering around me that I feel truly blessed. Everything negative in my life has become positive. I managed to get through it by keeping my head high and praying. Now I try to only do good things for others and for myself. I certainly wouldn't go so far as to say that I'm a saint, but I simply strive to make people happy in whatever way I can.
