In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington shared his thoughts on the current state of American politics and the manipulation tactics used by both political parties.
Speaking about the upcoming film Gladiator II, Washington quoted a line from the movie: “Empires fall, so do emperors,” which seemed to resonate with the current political climate in the U.S.
Washington reflected on the easy tendency to criticize America from an external perspective, stating, “You know, it’s so easy to stand outside America and say this and that. Turn around, you know? Pick a country. Any one.”
He went on to highlight the pervasive nature of politics, emphasizing that promises are often left unfulfilled and that both sides of the political spectrum use modern tools of information to manipulate the public.
“We’re all slaves to information now,” he said, underlining the idea that the public is being influenced by both political sides, regardless of personal opinions about individual leaders.
The actor also referenced a memorable line from his 1981 film Carbon Copy: “Power to the people? Yeah, they had it once — it was called the Stone Age,” reinforcing his point about the lack of true power in the hands of the people today.
In addition to his political views, Washington reflected on his career, recalling both successes and failures. He humorously acknowledged that after his role in Malcolm X (1992), he made several films in the 1990s that didn’t live up to expectations.
“Look them up — I won’t say their names,” he said, admitting that while those films weren’t successful, he was still fulfilling his responsibilities.
Looking back on his career in the 2000s, Washington discussed his growth, particularly during his roles in The Hurricane (2000) and Training Day (2001), which earned him his second Academy Award.
Reflecting on his life in stages, he explained, “You learn, earn, and then you return,” with the 2000s marking his transition from learning and building his career to reaping the rewards of his hard work.
Washington concluded the interview on a light note, suggesting, “Yeah. So go to the movies,” adding a playful reminder to enjoy entertainment amid the complexities of modern life.