Denzel Washington on ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’

By Gabriela Acosta, Metro World News

Denzel Washington is seated in a comfortable armchair, his face is serious but as we begin to talk he gives us small smiles. The star of great films has shown that he is a reserved man, even if he doesn’t seem one on screen.

Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in a story of murder, madness, ambition and wrathful cunning called “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” based on the play by William Shakespeare, that was written for the screen and directed by Joel Coen.

The American actor ventured into streaming content with the original movie for Apple TV+ and shared some details about this production.

How did you get involved in the project?

Joel Coen and I talked three years ago, I would say maybe four or five years before filming, about doing something together. I wasn’t very specific then, I don’t really remember if we talked about Macbeth, but that’s how we met. Then he and I and Frances (McDormand) started getting together and two years before filming we read scenes from the play together.

What was it like working with Joel Coen?

He’s brilliant. He’s the best at what he does and it was a joy. It’s what anyone could wish for, to be able to do the best with the best.

How did this production differ from others you’ve been involved in?

I don’t look at it that way, I couldn’t compare it to anything I’ve done before. I mean, it’s something I had never done before, well, I did “Much Ado About Nothing,” but it’s a different process than making a play.

What was it like working with the rest of the cast?

Frances is great, you know? She’s energetic and obviously very talented, as is the whole cast. I think Joel, Frances and I absorbed a lot of energy from the younger actors and actresses and everything they brought to the film.

Did the production design and cinematography change the way you worked?

It gave the feeling that you were acting on the set, because of the lighting and design. We were moving from set to set, it was like one of those one-act plays.

What moment from the past would you like to live again?

Mmmm… You know, last year my mother died and I would like to go back to that first play I did when I was very young and she would come to watch me every night.