Viola Davis knew she wanted to be an actress at the age of fourteen.
During a recent interview at the Cannes Film Festival, she recalled, “I
felt that playing comedy had a healer effect. I felt that I was good at
that. And when we discover that we are good in something, we finally feel
seen.” Inspired by cinematic icons such as Jane Alexander, Isabel
Sanford, Esther Rolle, and Sophia Loren, Davis began her acting journey
in theater before transitioning to film. Her notable appearances include
“out of reach” with George Clooney in 1998, “Doubt” by John Patrick
Shanley in 2009, “The colour of feelings” in 2011, as well as roles in
“How to get Away with Murder”, “Fengs” and “The Blues of my Rainey”.

“I am worth it”

when asked about her personal growth as an actress, she explained, “I
think each character sheds light on a part of himself. Despite
everything I went through, really everything, I am worthy. I’m worth it.
This is the most crucial thing I learned. […] You know, the more I
tell my story and the more I get older, the more I realize everything
that you can’t take with you when you die. But the only thing you can do
is leave something behind it. And this is what, in my opinion, gives
meaning to our life. So absolutely, this is my heritage, my work.”

“Despite everything I went through, really everything, I am worthy. I’m
worth it. This is the most important thing I learned.”

As a jury member for the fifth edition of the Lights On Women’s Worth
Prix, wich supports emerging female directors, viola Davis is a strong
advocate for women in film.”I now have a place in the front row for all
the stories of these women.I knew them when we spun the light on them
for the first time. When we are here at the start of someone’s career,
this person will remember us forever.” Beyond her involvement, the
actress aims to pave the way and inspire other women, especially black
women. Regarding the representation of black women in cinema, she
stated, “There is still a long way to go.And this raises a broader
question: that of opportunities, connections, status, the feeling of
being valued. It is indeed to directors who reach a certain level of success to
have the courage to think outside the box and tell their stories in a
daring manner.”