Harvard Sneaks Peek At Denzel’s Latest Film

The Carpenter Center hosted a sneak preview of Denzel Washington’s new film Antwone Fisher last night, graced by a visit from the film’s young star, Derek Luke.

The film, based on screenwriter Antwone Fisher’s life story, marks Washington’s directorial debut.

While a matinee was held for the general public earlier in the day, the evening screening was invitation-only and attended by Harvard faculty, community personalities and supporters of the Harvard Foundation for Race and Intercultural Relations.

The Foundation arranged for the Harvard sneak peek, and the event was co-sponsored by the Black Student Association and the Black Men’s Forum.

The film, which will officially premiere in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 19, portrays a young man’s struggle to overcome his extraordinarily difficult childhood through a search for his lost family, who abandoned him as a baby.

At the film’s conclusion, the audience erupted in applause.

Foundation Director Dr. S. Allen Counter then introduced Luke, who plays Fisher in the film.

Dropping out of college at the age of 21 and taking his chances in Los Angeles, Luke worked on the Sony lot for years before meeting Fisher, an aspiring young screenwriter. He endured five auditions before landing this breakthrough role.

Luke praised Washington’s style and said the director’s participation in the film was “a blessing.”

Until Antwone Fisher, Luke said, his on-screen experience consisted solely of two one-liners on the television show “The King of Queens” and one memorable line on “Moesha.”

“You better get out of my face!” Luke said, laughing as he recalled the line.

Luke has recently completed the film Biker Boyz, in which he worked with Kid Rock and Lawrence Fishburne, whom he said was “something else.”

After the screening, students raved about the movie.

“I was absolutely blown away,” said Erin L. Lewis, a student at the Graduate School of Education.

“It gives you perspective on real life,” said Brandon M. Terry ’05. “A lot of people at Harvard just get caught up in what they’re doing.”

Counter said he maintains a close relationship with Washington. This friendship, he said, resulted in Harvard’s early screening last night.

In the past, the Foundation has hosted numerous similar events, such as a September 2000 sneak preview of Washington’s Remember the Titans.