DENZEL DEVELOPS NEW ORLEANS WITH FILM CREW

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans that didn’t stop Denzel Washington and company from shooting the thriller Déjà vu there. If anything Washington felt proud to help out the devastated city by providing jobs through the film production and bringing in some much needed cash.

On his time off Denzel drove around and visited the many people who were displaced from their homes offering them words of comfort and encouragement.

“Obviously it was more immediate the events in New Orleans and not wanting, personally not wanting to take advantage of anyone’s pain, suffering and loss. To in some way contribute to be the first film back there, to spend a lot of money there, to put people back to work. To say, hey to the film community that this is a place, that they’re ready, that they wanted us there and they were happy that we were there so that felt good.”

In reference to the title Denzel says he experienced déjà vu once when he was going to get his morning mail and had a strange feeling someone was going to drive by. Lo and behold Eddie Murphy drove up seconds later. Déjà vu opens Friday in theaters.

“And to be in New Orleans at that time meeting the people that we met and just riding around seeing the devastation it affects you and it makes me want to try and be a part of something good, contribute and give something back and help the people in any way I can.”