ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
December 11, 2007
A Chat with Denzel Washington
The actor talks about directing and performing in The Great Debaters
In his new film The Great Debaters, Denzel Washington plays professor Melvin B. Tolson who coached his team at Wiley College, in Texas, to the national debating competition against Harvard University. Washington tells TFK about filming and acting in the movie.
TFK:What attracted you to the project?
WASHINGTON:I thought it was an interesting story about how kids in a small school overcame tough odds. It's like The Little Engine That Could-going against the great universities of the 1930s. It's one of those great stories that needed to be told!
TFK:What do you admire most about professor Melvin B. Tolson?
WASHINGTON:(He was one of the) great educators at the historically black colleges who put children first.
TFK:How did you prepare to play Tolson?
WASHINGTON:I had so little time to prepare (because) I was also directing. I really had to rely on (acting with) my terrific cast.
TFK:What did you learn about debate?
WASHINGTON:I was not very interested in debate. But as an actor, you are always working with words, so that attracted me. And as Tolson says in the film, "sometimes debate can be a blood sport." I learned that it can get really exciting!
TFK:What types of stories do you like to work on?
WASHINGTON:I am interested in any story that moves me. I am especially drawn to inspirational stories.
TFK:You directed and acted in this movie. Which do you prefer?
WASHINGTON:I really enjoy being behind the camera. I enjoy that much more than acting. There's no comparison! I was originally approached to just direct this film. I became more and more certain I had to play Tolson (as I read) each page. By the time I finished the script, I knew, as a director, I would insist on casting myself in this role!
TFK:What do you want kids to take from this film?
WASHINGTON:I hope (they) enjoy it and look to the people in (their) lives that inspire (them).
