Emancipation producer Joey McFarland sorry for showing off photo of enslaved man at film’s premiere

Emancipation producer Joey McFarland took to Instagram on Sunday to apologize for taking an 1863 photo of an enslaved man at the Los Angeles premiere of the Apple TV+ movie, marking Will Smith’s first major release since he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.

“I sincerely apologize to everyone I have offended by bringing a photograph of Peter to the Emancipation premiere,” McFarland, 50, said in a statement. “My intent was to honor this remarkable man and to remind the general public that his image not only caused change in 1863, but still resonates and promotes change today.”

McFarland displayed the photo, of the enslaved man whose real name was Gordon, and was called “Whipped Peter,” during the debut of the Will Smith film at the Regency Village Theater last Wednesday.

The photo shows the man fit to wear a Union Army uniform and the scars on his back, giving people a better understanding of the violent nature of slavery.

The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is based on Gordon’s escape from slavery.

McFarland said Variety at the premiere: ‘I have the photo. This is the original photograph from 1863. I wanted you here tonight. I wanted a part of Peter to be here tonight.

“Unfortunately, many artifacts and photographs have not been preserved, curated, or respected. And I took it upon myself to curate and create a collection for future generations.

McFarland displayed the photo, of the enslaved man whose real name was Gordon, and was called “Whipped Peter,” during the debut of the Will Smith film at the Regency Village Theater last Wednesday.

The film producer said in his apology: “I sincerely apologize to everyone I have offended by bringing a photograph of Peter to the Emancipation premiere.”

McFarland’s display at the film’s premiere drew criticism from several Twitter users.

The display during the film’s entrances drew a number of responses, with some people saying it was inappropriate for McFarland to display the photograph as a collector’s item.

“I was telling a friend this week that a lot of the most racist shit I’ve ever heard comes from white liberals trying to prove they aren’t racist,” one user wrote. However, this Joey McFarland shit is beyond. Damn yikes.

Another person said: ‘Photographs of violence against black people are not a collector’s item to show off. It is highly inappropriate and Joey McFarland should donate the artifacts he “collected” to the National Museum of African American History and Culture before the end of his life.

Another person asked: ‘Why do you own the photograph? Why did you take it to a movie premiere if the intention is to preserve it with respect? Did you want “a piece of Peter” here? Do you collect slave memorabilia that will be donated at your death? What are you doing with him in the meantime? Many questions.

Another user pointed out how McFarland had shown a collection of similar images on his social networks.

McFarland was photographed with a guest at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Wednesday.

The film, which stars Will Smith as Peter, is coming to Apple TV+ on Friday.

‘I don’t know, man, but bringing “a part of Peter” that you “own” to the red carpet of a movie is making you personally richer so that you can collect more slave memorabilia to keep until your death…’

In his apology Sunday, McFarland said he hoped the controversy over the photograph “didn’t distract from the message of the film, Peter’s story and the impact he had on the world.”

He continued: “Throughout the research and development of Emancipation, I discovered photographs of overlooked and historically important people whose stories also needed to be told. One photograph, by Martin Delaney, is on loan to the National Portrait Gallery and is currently on display.’

McFarland said his “plan was always to donate the photographs to the appropriate institution, in consultation with the community, and [he believes] there is no better time to start that process than now.’

Emancipation is scheduled to premiere Friday on Apple TV+.