Denzel Washington on American Politics: ‘You’re Being Manipulated by Both Sides’
By Jake Beardslee ·
November 18, 2024
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times for the upcoming film Gladiator 2, Denzel Washington, the renowned 69-year-old actor, expressed his deep concerns about the state of American politics. When asked about a line from the movie—“Empires fall, so do emperors”—he turned the conversation towards the broader issue of political manipulation.
"You know, it's so easy to stand outside America and say this and that," Washington reflected. "Turn around, you know? Pick a country. Any one." Harrison Hill-USA TODAY
However, he emphasized that the problem is universal. "But listen, it's all politics. All promises unkept. And now with the information age the way it is—if anything—left, right, whatever had better learn how to use those tools to manipulate the people."
Drawing from his debut film, Carbon Copy (1981), Washington quoted another line: "'Power to the people? Yeah, they had it once—it was called the Stone Age.'" He then asserted, "We’re all slaves to information now. We really are. We’re all slaves. So whatever you feel about the leaders, like this guy's crazy or the other one is sane, you'd better realize you're being manipulated by both sides. Period. So go to the movies." Pixabay
Washington’s performance in Gladiator 2 has received critical acclaim, and he is considered a strong contender for an Academy Award nomination. The film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Maximus, continues the story of Rome's restoration after the events of the original 2000 film. Pottero / Wikimedia
The movie has already performed exceptionally well at the international box office, grossing an estimated $87 million, making it the biggest overseas opening for any of Scott’s films. Bill Ingalls / Wikimedia
In a previous interview, Washington sparked speculation about his retirement plans, suggesting he would make five more films before stepping down, including roles in Black Panther 3, Hannibal, and adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. Georges Biard / Wikimedia
However, he later clarified that he was not planning to retire but rather to transition into directing, telling Buzzfeed, "I look at life in three sections—you learn, you earn, and you return. I’m in the return part of life." GabboT / Wikimedia
