Forest Whitaker: 'The Butler stands for a lot of the silent heroes'
In The Butler, Forest Whitaker plays a member of the White House domestic staff who serves under seven administrations during a tumultuous period in the country's civil rights history.
His character, Cecil Gaines, is based on real-life White House butler Eugene Allen, who served through the 1950s to the 1980s.
The film, directed by Lee Daniels, also stars Oprah Winfrey as Cecil's wife Gloria, and David Oyelowo as his activist son Louis.
A number of well-known faces appear as the US presidents, including Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon and Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan.
Whitaker's distinguished list of films includes Bird, The Crying Game, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Panic Room.
The actor, who won a 2007 Oscar for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, talks here about the challenges of his latest role.
Lee Daniels has asked: "How many Oscar-winners are willing to come and audition for you?" What made you want to audition?
The role is extraordinary - to get to span this length of history as a character. The movie is about holding together the family against the backdrop of the history of the nation and the civil rights movement. It's an extraordinary opportunity.
What does Cecil Gaines represent against that backdrop of history?
There are hundreds and thousands who stand where he does. He represents this army of individuals who were trying to move forward their quality of life. He stands for a lot of the silent heroes.
In some ways, he represents the head of the household and the sacrifices you will make in order to hold your family together through the tough times.
You had the story of Eugene Allen as a source, but what other things did you do to prepare for the role?
I did study his rhythms of speech, and I worked with a dialect coach and a butler coach.
The butler coach lived with me for a number of weeks and I learned how to set up a proper table and make a proper tea. It's really difficult. I was trying to hold this giant silver tray in perfect alignment and I learnt about 'synchronous' serving.
