British actor Daniel Kaluuya expressed that a new statue commemorating his character from the film Get Out “means the world” to him. The statue was unveiled in London’s Leicester Square, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Kaluuya, 35, received an Oscar nomination for his role as Chris Washington in the acclaimed thriller directed by Jordan Peele. The film, released in 2017, explores themes of race and identity as it follows a young Black man visiting his white girlfriend’s family.
The statue depicts a pivotal moment from the film when Kaluuya’s character falls into the “sunken place” after being hypnotized by his girlfriend’s mother, played by Catherine Keener. At the unveiling event, Kaluuya described the honor as a “blessing.” He stated, “It shows how far I’ve come, but also how far we have to go.”
Kaluuya noted that the statue represents not just his work but also the voices of many people. He said, “It’s a reflection of what they wanted. I’m just in the middle of what they want, and that feels like an amazing blessing.”
The statue is part of the Scenes In The Square trail, which celebrates iconic characters from cinema history in Leicester Square. Kaluuya remarked on the significance of his character’s moment in Get Out, saying it resonates with those who feel repressed and voiceless.
Get Out won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 2018 and received several nominations, including Best Picture. Kaluuya has also appeared in films such as Black Panther, Nope, and Judas and the Black Messiah, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Kaluuya’s recognition comes as he continues to work on various projects, including an upcoming film based on the children’s character Barney. He emphasized that he remains committed to high standards in his work and is excited about future endeavors.
The unveiling of the statue is not only a personal achievement for Kaluuya but also a celebration of modern cinematic success and representation in British film.
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