Will Smith hosts private screening of 'Emancipation' for close pals including Rihanna and Dave Chappelle
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The only thing better than catching a movie with your friends might be screening your own film for them, and it seems Will Smith had a blast doing just that. Smith hosted an intimate screening of his upcoming film ‘Emancipation’ for some of his closest friends and Hollywood A-listers.
According to Deadline, the guests that showed up included Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, Tyler Perry, Dave Chappelle, Kenya Barris, music producer Corey Smyth, writer-producer Esa Lewis and celebrity stylist Fawn Boardley. The film is directed by Antonine Fuqua and stars Smith as Peter, a slave who escapes his from a plantation.
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Smith posted pictures of the event on Instagram as well with the caption, “EPIC night!! Thanx for coming to see #Emancipation. Hope ya’ll enjoyed!!”
Those who were present at the screening had only nice things to say. Perry said on social media, “I’m still haunted by Emancipation. It’s truly powerful, moving and captivating. And the conversation afterwards with this group was legendary. Thank you Will Smith for the preview!” Barris remarked, “This night was truly one for the books! An amazing and brilliant group of friends got together and witnessed TRUE ART.”
Many fans were quick to notice Chappelle was among the attendess. The comedian is close to Chris Rock and had just returned after finishing a tour with him. The infamous Oscar's slapgate incident led to the 'King Richard' actor being banned from attending any Academy functions for 10 years.
In his subsequent stand-up shows, Rock addressed the incident many times, though on each of the occasions his comments were very brief. Even in September, when Chappelle and Rock did a show together in the UK, Rock said, “The m**********r hit me over a bullshit joke, the nicest joke I ever told.” Chappelle also added his ten cents, when he said that Smith “did an impression of a perfect man for 30 years.”