Daniel Kaluuya is “incredibly grateful” for his BAFTA Film Awards nomination.
The 32-year-old actor has received a nod for Best Supporting Actor at the upcoming 2021 BAFTAs for his role in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’, and has said he’s pleased to have been recognised for the movie, because there has been “no greater responsibility” in his career so far than to “honour the legacy” of Fred Hampton.
Daniel plays Fred in the biographical drama film, which details the real-life chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in late-1960s Chicago, who was betrayed by William O'Neal (played by Lakeith Stanfield), an FBI informant.
Speaking about his nomination, Daniel said: “I am incredibly grateful to the BAFTA Membership for nominating me in recognition of my performance as Chairman Fred Hampton in ‘Judas And The Black Messiah’.
“Thus far, there has been no greater responsibility in my career than to honour the legacy of such a revolutionary human being. Chairman Fred Hampton was a unifier, a man who committed his life to empowering the marginalized and oppressed communities, whilst always serving, loving and uplifting the black community in the city of Chicago.”
Fred was shot and killed in his bed during a predawn raid at his Chicago apartment in 1969, and Daniel hopes his “teachings and ideas” will live on in people who “continue his mission to embrace one another with unconditional love”.
He added: “It has been over 50 years since Chairman Fred’s assassination, yet his teachings and ideas are ubiquitous within numerous social constructs today and will stand the test of time if we continue his mission to embrace one another with unconditional love, compassion, empathy and respect.
“I am forever indebted to our producers Ryan Coolger and Charles King, our fearless captain Shaka King, the extraordinary cast, our tireless crew and most especially, Chairman Fred Hampton’s son, Chairman Fred Jr. and Mama Akua Njeri - they were our guiding light every step of the way and it’s with their blessing that we were able to illuminate Chairman Fred Hampton’s truth and his spirit.”
Daniel will go head-to-head with Barry Keoghan (‘Calm with Horses’), Alan Kim (‘Minari’), Leslie Odom Jr (‘One Night in Miami’), Clarke Peters (‘Da 5 Bloods’), and Paul Raci (‘Sound of Metal’) in his category when the BAFTAs take place on April 11.
