Jamaicans in the Race
RACE, a biographical drama film about legendary American athlete Jesse Owens, opened in the United States last weekend.
Starring Stephan James as Owens, Race also features his brother Shamier Anderson as Eulace Peacock, Owens’ compatriot and arch-rival.
The Scarborough, Canada-based siblings’ parents are from Spanish Town.
Race is co-produced by Forecast Pictures, Solofilms and Trinity Race. It was released in the United States by Focus Features and TriStar Pictures, and co-stars Oscar winners William Hurt and Jeremy Irons; Carice van Houten, Glynn Turman and Amanda Crew.
The Jamaica Observer spoke with Shamier Anderson shortly after the film premiered in New York City. He spoke about his biggest role to date.
“Playing the role of Eulace Peacock was definitely one of my more difficult transformations as an actor. I had to physically transform myself as a runner from the 1930s along with the accent. Just being able to play someone who potentially would have been the ‘Jesse Owens’ of today, if he had not pulled his hamstring, is quite humbling,” said Anderson.
“Having the opportunity to spread knowledge on what people of colour had to endure when trying to pursue their passions in that time gave me purpose when playing the part,” the 24-year-old added.
Anderson has been acting since he was a child; professionally for the last eight years. His first acting gig was an ice cream commercial.
He spoke about the high points of his career.
“The highs are moments like these; celebrating the accomplishment of telling this story to the world. The low, I tend not to think of those,” he said.
His credits in Canada include tv series such as Degrassi, Rookie Blue, Defiance and Saving Hope.
Race, which revisits Owens’ record-breaking four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, is directed by Stephen Hopkins and co-written by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse.
“It has been overwhelming. The response has been positive and a lot of gratitude, especially from the Owens family,” said Anderson who has a role in the upcoming SyFy drama, Wynonna Earp, which premieres on April 1.
