Malcolm and John David Washington’s upcoming movies

The Piano Lesson becomes August Wilson’s latest work to be adapted into a film by Denzel Washington and his family.

But while the Hollywood star has directed, starred in and produced film adaptations such as Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in recent years, it is his two sons who are taking center stage in the latest screen adaptations. .

The Piano Lesson is directed by filmmaker Malcolm Washington and stars his actor John David Washington. Their father Denzel serves as producer.

Ahead of its UK premiere at the London Film Festival, John David Washington described the film’s team as “fearless” in their efforts to produce a unique interpretation of the 1987 play.

Two sisters, Malcolm and John David Washington, also participate in The Piano Lesson. Katia Washington is executive producer, and Olivia Washington, who recently starred opposite Kit Harington in the West End show Slave Play, has an acting role.

At the Telluride Film Festival last month, actress and Denzel’s wife, Pauletta Pearson Washington, acknowledged the film was a family film, joking: “All my babies are involved in this.”

The film also sees actress Danielle Deadwyler join the Oscar race, two years after she was widely reported to have been unfairly snubbed for her acclaimed performance in Till.

Set in 1936 Pittsburgh in the aftermath of the Great Depression, the Netflix film tells the story of a brother and sister who disagree over what to do with the family’s inherited piano.

Daughter Bernice (Deadweiler) has not played the piano since the siblings’ mother died. Instead, it sits in her living room and serves as a reminder of what her ancestors had to endure as slaves.

The piano wood is carved with family faces from previous generations. But Bernice refuses to even move the piano, and her brother Boy Willie (John David Washington) wants to sell the piano to buy land.

Speaking at Deadline’s Contender’s London event, John David Washington described the attitude of the cast and production team as “fearless”.

“I was really fearless. Because right away we thought, ‘Okay, we’re making it.’ our “There are many versions of this story, and this is ours,” he said.

“We’re going to put it through a filter of honesty and truth and vulnerability, guarding ourselves, and fine-tuning it so that when we get to the end, that spirit is still there.”

Deadwyler also praised Malcolm Washington, saying the director “gave us free rein, especially during rehearsals, and these ideas and the way we engaged with each other allowed us to create whatever he did with the camera.”

A new adaptation of The Piano Lesson could be part of the upcoming film awards competition. Washington’s two other August Wilson adaptations, Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, were nominated for Oscars in 2017 and 2021, respectively.

But while both of these films felt like plays shot primarily on location, Piano Lessons is much more visually varied. Malcolm Washington tried to make a more cinematic adaptation of it.

Wilson was an American playwright who chronicled the lives and experiences of black Americans. His other works include Jitney, Two Trains Running, and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

<피아노 레슨>was revived on Broadway in 2022, and many of the actors who appeared on stage moved to film.

However, Teal star Deadwyler appeared in the screen adaptation, and many critics praised her performance.

“Most of the cast is the same as what appeared on Broadway, but the movie is unmistakably Deadweiler’s show.” said Variety’s Peter Debruge.

The actress said, “She took center stage in the film with her tremendous courage and powerful acting.” Entertainment Weekly’s Maureen Lee Lenker agreed.

Deadweiler was widely expected to win one of the five best actress slots when that year’s Oscar nominations were announced in January 2023.

However, due to a number of events, she missed out on a spot in the sector, including a successful grassroots campaign. To nominate Andrea Riseborough. And then Michelle Williams decided to submit herself for a lead role instead of a supporting role.

This means Academy voters may see The Piano Lesson as a second opportunity to recognize Deadwyler’s work, potentially putting her in the race for best supporting actress this year.

Overall, the film has received broadly positive reviews from critics at film festivals where it has been screened so far, although some have responded more lukewarmly.

“It is clear that Washington is taking the task of acclimating Wilson very seriously, and there is much to admire about Piano Lessons.” said Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter.

“But the duties may be limited, or the piano lessons may be so fulfilling that they struggle to shake the ghost of the stage.”

“Malcolm Washington shows himself to be a capable director, staying true to the source material while expanding on this story in any way he can.” wrote Collider’s Ross Bonaime.

Carla Renata of The Wrap said: The film “reminds us that generational wealth is not just financial, but that we are emotionally and genetically connected to our ancestors.”

but IndieWire’s Caleb Hammond said: “While this version contains quite a few standout scenes, along with Oscar-winning performances, the film never fully coalesces into an effective, single, emotional narrative.”

The Piano Lesson is Malcolm Washington’s directorial debut. In an interview with Variety Last month, Malcolm’s father Denzel said he was “very proud of Malcolm.”

“I knew early on that he had a vision. It was through my son that I learned the difference between making movies and being a filmmaker. I had directed four films… but I didn’t necessarily know what to do. Malcolm studied filmmaking.

“When he was young, he would read my scripts and ask insightful questions. His mother was a huge movie buff, so he grew up watching movies, just like my kids. He always had a desire to make movies, and now he does.”

While Malcolm is behind the camera, viewers may be more familiar with actor John David Washington, who starred in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and also appeared in Amsterdam, BlacKkKlansman, and Malcolm & Marie opposite Zendaya.