Emancipation producer carries a photo of ‘Whipped Peter’ to film’s premiere; gets slammed on social media | English Movie News

It seems that a war of words has unleashed on social media after Emancipation producer Joey McFarland attended the premiere of the film with the 1863 photograph of Whipped Peter that first appeared in Harper’s Weekly. The photograph was taken at a Union Army medical examination during that time.

Holding the photograph in his hand, McFarland told a reporter at the premiere that he wanted “a piece of Peter” with him here tonight. He also said he is in the habit of collecting artefacts and photographs of that time that have not been preserved or curated. He said that he looked upon himself as a curator and would donate the images upon his death for educational purposes.

He also told people present at the premiere that Emancipation was beyond being just a film. It is a “lesson,” he stated.

However, Black List founder Franklin Leonard was critical on Twitter. He asked McFarland directly on social media why he thought he owned the photo? Some of his questions were a trifle scathing with Leonard asking McFarland, “Why did you bring it to a movie premiere if the intent is to preserve it respectfully? You wanted ‘a piece of Peter’ here? You collect slave memorabilia that will be donated upon your death? What do you do with it in the meantime? So many questions.”

He was joined by several other dissenting voices on social media. “Beyond disgusting,” another Twitter post read. It also asked McFarland to self-reflect.