The story of Jesse Owens, the American athlete who bravely went to the 1936 Berlin Olympics to compete despite the immense power of the Nazis at the time, is still important today.
His compelling tale is told in Race, and the role of Owens is played by Toronto-born Stephan James (The Book of Negroes, Selma) in an emotional, visceral performance. James trained relentlessly to play Owens, who secured four gold medals and broke records in Berlin, despite the Nazi attempts to keep him from victory.
WATCH: New film brings us the story of track star Jesse Owens
Jason Sudeikis plays Owens’ coach, Larry Snyder, who famously looked past the colour of Owens’s skin to help bring him to glory.
Sudeikis and James have a natural chemistry together, and it’s a joy to watch them on-screen. Global News sat down with the two Race stars to discuss how the film’s story still hits a nerve almost 80 years later.
Watch the video interview, above.
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