Mark Wahlberg Says “Joe Bell” Focuses on Bullied Teenager Is About “Accepting and Tolerating People”



[ad_1]

For Mark Wahlberg, being a father of teenagers in real life played a huge role in his approach to “Joe Bell,” a film that centers on a true story of a father’s quest – not just accepting who his. son – but honor his death after a series of tragic circumstances.

The “Spenser Confidential” actor, 50, plays the Oregon blue-collar father who made it his mission to spread the message against bullying after losing his 15-year-old teenage son, Jadin Bell, to the United States. suicide in 2013. It was revealed that Jadin, a sophomore in high school, had been subjected to merciless mistreatment in school and on social media because of his sexuality.

Grieving Joe Bell quit his job to start the Faces for Change foundation in honor of his son and then proceeded with the idea of ​​crossing the continental United States to campaign against bullying.

Bell left his hometown in eastern Oregon in April, on the trip that allegedly took Bell to New York.

MARK WAHLBERG EAT 11,000 CALORIES A DAY FOR HIS NEXT MOVIE “STU”: “IT WAS NOT FUN”

However, some 1,000 miles and six months after starting his 5,000-mile trek across the country, dubbed “Joe’s Walk for Change,” Bell, 48, was struck by a semi-truck in October 2013 while ‘he was walking along the east shoulder of US 40 at Cheyenne. Colorado County.

MARK WAHLBERG TALKS ABOUT HIS SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE AFTER PAST CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

The driver of the truck, Kenneth Raven, 49, has been cited for reckless driving resulting in death.

“We made the film to continue Joe’s journey and continue to open people’s hearts and minds to be tolerant and tolerant of people, no matter where they are from, what their sexual orientation is, their race, their religion, all that stuff you want, ”Wahlberg told Fox News the moving story which also stars Connie Britton.

Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller and Connie Britton appear in scene from

Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller and Connie Britton appear in a scene from “Joe Bell”.
(Quantrell D. Colbert / Courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

He added that everyone involved wanted to “make sure that people, and especially parents, listen to their children and hear what is going on with them, that they love them unconditionally and support them and really support them and encourage them. them and whatever they decide they want to do, as long as it’s positive, productive. “

He said that by speaking with the Bell family, he finally wanted to get a real glimpse of the man Joe Bell was, describing the father as “a very complicated guy”.

MARK WAHLBERG PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS LATE MOTHER ON HER 50TH BIRTHDAY: “MISSING YOU”

“We wanted to make sure the portrayal of him was really honest,” the actor explained. “He was a tough person who had a very difficult and abusive childhood, and he was doing his best with what little skills and experience he had as a father. And dealing with a situation like this- this was just something he wasn’t prepared for. “

Wahlberg argued her goal was to handle the story with “the sensitivity and respect it deserves” and took inspiration from her connection to her own children by acting alongside Reid Miller, 21, who plays the role of Jadin. He added that Miller even reminded him of his own sons in the dynamic the couple shared onscreen.

Mark Wahlberg and Reid Miller appear in 'Joe Bell', which tells the true, intimate and moving story of an Oregon father who pays homage to his gay teenage son, Jadin, embarking on a self-reflective walk through the America to speak from heart to heart.  citizens about the real and terrifying costs of bullying.

Mark Wahlberg and Reid Miller appear in ‘Joe Bell’, which tells the true, intimate and moving story of an Oregon father who pays homage to his gay teenage son, Jadin, embarking on a self-reflective walk through the America to speak from heart to heart. citizens about the real and terrifying costs of bullying.
(Quantrell D. Colbert / Courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

“I really felt that as a parent, more than as an actor or producer – having four kids and now I have a 15 year old boy and a 17 year old girl and I just wanted to dive in. wanting to really understand who Joe was, wanting to make sure the family knew what our intentions were because obviously it’s an overwhelming responsibility to tell a story like this and how that would affect [Jadin’s mother] Lola, how would that affect [his brother] Joseph? “

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

The actor of the film added, “I hope that maybe it would bring some healing and, more importantly, prevent other families from going through the same thing.”

He added if he thought his performance could finally land him an elusive Oscar: “I don’t know. You know, you never know how people are going to react to movies and that’s definitely not the reason we made the movie. “

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

[ad_2]

Source link