Quotes by Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker

As an artist, it’s a great opportunity to play a character like this [Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland]. And then, as a person, I had never been to the African continent. So, I knew, personally, it would reshape me.

Character

Kings

Opportunity

Because I was playing Idi Amin, who dealt with the colonisation issue, I became aware of this internalised conflict of what it means to be torn between cultures, what it means to be taken over by other cultures.

Mean

Other Cultures

Taken

Filming in Africa touched something really deep inside of me, really. It changed my matrix, my insides. My blood even feels kinda different. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s really kind of Eucharistic. I feel like I ate the place and now it’s part of my system, part of my being. I’m not claiming that now I know what it’s like to be African, but that now I have a deeper understanding of myself.

Blood

Different

Understanding

I can play a man who’s despicable. But I’ll still look inside him to find a point of connection. If I can find that kernel, audiences will relate to me.

Connections

Men

Play

I certainly don’ think I could’ve played the character [Idi Amin] the same way without being in Uganda. I loved working in Uganda.

Character

Thinking

Uganda

I could never have gone to Africa another way and had the same experience. It was my job and my joy at the same time.

Gone

Jobs

Joy

I do look at that thematic of healing of humanity.

Healing

Humanity

Looks

I hope that audiences respond really positively. I think it’s a very intense, entertaining film [The Last King of Scotland], because you’re brought in on a fun ride, and slowly you fall into it as James [actor James McAvoy’s character, Dr. Nicholas Garrigan] does. Nicholas is like the audience. I think it’s a good ride for people. And you learn something, as well.

Fall

Fun

Kings

I like to play complex characters and the duality, and trying to reach for the light, it’s more interesting really. I’ve gotten to play so many types of guys and I just try to find the humanity in each one of them the best I can.

Character

Light

Play

I never acted in anything I’ve directed but I have produced a number of films and I have acted in some of the movies I’ve produced. Usually with first time filmmakers and pushing a move forward I have played a small role but never the lead.

Moving

Numbers

Roles

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African American

Aging

Believe

Blood

Blue

Car

Character

Community

Connections

Culture

Different

Disappointment

Dream

Empowering

Energy

Excuse You

Eye

Fall

Film

Fronts

Fun

Generations

Gone

Grandparent

Growing

Grows

Growth

Healing

Heart

Human Condition

Humanity

Important

Independent

Jobs

Joy

Kids

Kings

Light

Long

Looks

Mean

Men

Mirrors

Movie

Moving

Needs

Numbers

Opportunity

Other Cultures

People

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The Home Therapist: Anti Anxiety

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The Autobiography

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The Relationship Therapist

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Quotes by Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker

As an artist, it’s a great opportunity to play a character like this [Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland]. And then, as a person, I had never been to the African continent. So, I knew, personally, it would reshape me.

Because I was playing Idi Amin, who dealt with the colonisation issue, I became aware of this internalised conflict of what it means to be torn between cultures, what it means to be taken over by other cultures.

I can play a man who’s despicable. But I’ll still look inside him to find a point of connection. If I can find that kernel, audiences will relate to me.

I certainly don’ think I could’ve played the character [Idi Amin] the same way without being in Uganda. I loved working in Uganda.

I could never have gone to Africa another way and had the same experience. It was my job and my joy at the same time.

I do look at that thematic of healing of humanity.

I like to play complex characters and the duality, and trying to reach for the light, it’s more interesting really. I’ve gotten to play so many types of guys and I just try to find the humanity in each one of them the best I can.

I never acted in anything I’ve directed but I have produced a number of films and I have acted in some of the movies I’ve produced. Usually with first time filmmakers and pushing a move forward I have played a small role but never the lead.

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Topics by Forest Whitaker

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The Future Blueprint

The Home Therapist: Anti Anxiety

The Autobiography

The Behaviour Diary

The Dating Diary

The Relationship Therapist

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