Keke Palmer’s new film “Alice,” which follows the story of a 19th century enslaved Black woman who escapes to freedom only to discover it’s the 1970s and Black people are free, is not sitting too well with some critics who believe the movie is glorifying the trauma Black people have endured as a result of years of chattel slavery and racism.
While talking to People about the upcoming drama thriller, the 28-year-old defended her role and the movie’s importance, clarifying that “It’s not trauma porn. It’s like, ‘This happened. Let’s show you how our people found hope.’”
She continued, “If a character like Alice was able to keep going and she actually endured slavery, then what do you think that you could do? That, to me, is very powerful and important for my generation to see because we are at that breaking point in our own way.”
Elsewhere, the actress revealed what sparked her interest to take on the role, sharing that “I felt like it spoke to history in the Black slave narrative in a way that was not so victimizing. There’s only one angle that we usually get the slave narrative from, and it’s usually from an oppressor standpoint. It does not empower the youth, and it does not come with a sense of pride that I feel like I’ve always felt growing up when my parents talk to me about our history.”
It’s looking to be a pretty busy year for Palmer as the actress recently announced her part in Pixar’s animated film “LIGHTYEAR,” set to premiere on June 17. She’ll also appear in Jordan Peel’s third and highly anticipated horror installment, “Nope,” alongside Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya and “Walking Dead” actor Steven Yeun. The film hits theaters on July 22.
Following her three movie announcements, Palmer took the time out to thank her parents, who “gave up everything for me.” She promised to “work till I can’t no more to assure that their sacrifices weren’t in vain,” before adding, “The generational curses shall be overturned in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!”
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