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Australian Actor Joel Edgerton Speaks on Challenges & Thoughts on Racial Issues in 'Loving'

Australian Actor Joel Edgerton Speaks on Challenges & Thoughts on Racial Issues in 'Loving'

Dannel Picaccio Camille Perez Lozano

Australian star Joel Edgerton seems to have coincidentally stumbled across a film close and dear to the recent issues he faces in relation to his home country. His film, "Loving," took on the issue of racial discrimination that may still be a matter today.

According to ABC Australia, Edgerton claims to see the controversy that befell America during the times when race was of the highest dangerous paramount and surpassing those lines proves deadly. "Loving," a film set back in 1958, displays the story of an interracial couple who fought for their rights not just because of the color of their skin, but also for love.

Edgerton portrays the role of Richard Loving, who was married to his black wife Mildred in Washington DC. They were eventually apprehended in Virginia due to what was claimed as violation of a Racial integrity Act that the state implied. Both were sentenced to over a year in jail, where they were caught between staying incarcerated or leave Virginia for 25 years.

The Lovings carried on their pursuit for triumph and eventually won the case, with the Supreme Court granting the win to the couple in 1967. The said case became an important variable in splitting racial walls within the United States, which is now being interpreted in the upcoming film. Edgerton now speaks his mind on "Loving," saying that the film is a challenge to him as an actor.

The "Warrior" star said that the characters are naturally shy, but were at the wrong place at the wrong time. They chose to stay married and work through the adversity instead of separating due to race. "Richard was so uninterested in having the media at his house, being photographed on the steps of the Supreme Court. I am a very verbal person ... but to express things through other means than verbiage is a real challenge as an actor," Edgerton explained.

With that, the actor recalls how even his country of Australia experienced judgment from the minorities, and believes that it can be destructive to the masses. He sees that the case is being overlooked and that it is becoming a great problem with racism all over the world.

Edgerton is known for his various films such as "Exodus," "The Gift," "Warrior" and "Black Mass" to name a few. "Loving" aired back in November 4, 2016, in which the actor was nominated for a Golden Globe.

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