ABFF 2024: Denzel Washington Talks Making August Wilsons The Piano Lesson Movie With

Posted by Aldo Pusey on Saturday, July 27, 2024

Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, 'Divorce in the Black's' Meagan Good and more debuted new projects at the Miami Beach-based film fest

Denzel Washington is one of the most prolific Black actors of all time. But the two-time Oscar-winning actor, director, producer and humanitarian is also a proud husband and father — a point that was well made during his career retrospective conversation at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on June 15.

Denzel Washington’s latest producorial effort, the Netflix film adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” sees him working with members of his family, including his sons Malcolm Washington, who co-wrote and directed the film, and John David Washington, who stars.

“After about two weeks [on set], I went home. I was like, there’s really nothing for me to do here, I’m just in the way,” Denzel Washington said of watching his son Malcolm Washington work. “I’m not saying this because he’s my son, but he’s very talented. He went to the American Film Institute. He graduated number one in his class.”

In addition to directing, Malcolm Washington adapted the screenplay with Virgil Williams. Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression, “The Piano Lesson” follows the lives of the Charles family, a household led by Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson), and an heirloom — the family piano, which is decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor. John David Washington plays Boy Willie, reprising his role from the acclaimed 2022 Broadway revival, while Danielle Deadwyler is his strong willed sister Berniece. “That girl can act…she’s one of one,” Denzel Washington said, praising the rising star. The film also stars Ray Fisher, Michael Potts and Corey Hawkins.

Talking about his children’s talent, including his daughter Katia Washington, who executive produced “The Piano Lesson,” Denzel Washington shouted out his wife Pauletta Washington.

“They all got it from their mother’s side. As long as I’ve known her, she’s been a movie buff, she got those kids to watch movies,” he said, laughing as he surprised his wife with an impromptu FaceTime call.

Watch a clip below:

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ABFF’s in-person program ran June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24, available on ABFF PLAY.

Below are highlights from the festival’s 28th edition:

  • Denzel Washington and Chaz Ebert

    Chaz Ebert (right) interviews two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington for a career retrospective conversation on June 15.

  • Issa Rae and Nicole Friday

    ABFF creative director Issa Rae and Nice Crowd president Nicole Friday welcome attendees to opening night of the American Black Film Festival on June 12 in Miami Beach, Fla.

    “This festival means so much to me, specifically, because of the community here,” Rae said in her opening remarks. “I met so many of my creative partnerships here, and have fostered projects [together] … This is space to do it, especially now that our spaces are being taken away from us. So what better place to maintain our status and our community than here?”

    Despite the downpour that drenched South Florida that evening, Rae noted, the festival was too important not to go on. “If you’re going to dance in the rain, just put your hair in a bonnet or a shower cap,” she joked. “Let’s get it!’

  • Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict

    Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict present a first look at “Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black,” the upcoming thriller from Amazon MGM Studios, on June 13.

  • Jack Howard, Nicole Friday and Nia Long

    Nia Long (right) poses for photographers ahead of a conversation about “Money and Mindfulness,” moderated by Ally’s Jack Howard on June 13.

  • HBO Short Film Award Showcase Filmmakers

    Warner Bros. Discovery’s Dennis Wiliams, Nadia Hallgren (“The Brown Dog”), Huriyyah Muhammad (“Chocolate with Sprinkles”), Nice Crowd’s Nicole Friday and Jeff Friday, event host Bevy Smith, Warda Mohamed (“Muna”), Lauren Julia (“Once Upon A Dime”) and Felicia D. Henderson (“The Rebel Girls”) smile for cameras before the HBO Short Film Award Showcase on June 12, which featured all-Black female directors.

    ABFF, a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards’ short film categories, has offered the HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery sponsored-award for 27 years. Muhammad ultimately won the award, which also comes with a $10,000 cash prize.

  • Bevy Smith, Kerry Washington and Tracy McMillan

    “UnPrisoned” star and executive producer Kerry Washington (center) debut Hulu series’ Season 2 premiere episode alongside Bevy Smith and show creator Tracy McMillan on June 13.

    “There was one scene in particular that I actually couldn’t be there for because it was too emotional,” McMillan said, teasing the new storylines. “There are also times where I feel like [Kerry] and Delroy [Lindo, whose characters are inspired by McMillan and her late father] give me healings.”

  • Young Dirty Bastard

    Barsun Jones (aka YDB), son of Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ol’ Dirty Bastard, attends the world premiere screening of “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirty’s” on June 13.

  • McKinley Freeman, Emyatzy Corinealdi and Raamla Mohamed

    “Reasonable Doubt” stars Emyatzy Corinealdi (center) and McKinley Freeman and creator Raamla Mohamed preview Season 2 of the Hulu series on June 13.

  • Cory Hardrict, Meagan Good, Nicole and Jeff Friday, Scott Evans

    “Divorce in the Black” co-stars Cory Hardrict and Meagan Good host ABFF’s annual Legendary White Party with Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans at M2 Miami on June 13.

  • Nicco Annan

    Nicco Annan presents the Starz docuseries “Down in the Valley,” hosted and executive produced by the “P-Valley” star, on June 14.

  • Kenya Barris and Issa Rae

    Kenya Barris sits down with Issa Rae for the inaugural “Creator Conversations” on June 14, where they discussed their journey through the creative process.

  • Aldis Hodge

    Aldis Hodge previews “Cross,” the upcoming Prime Video thriller based on James Patterson’s bestselling Alex Cross book series, on June 14.

  • Daniel Ezra, Cory Hardrict, Bre-Z, Geffri Maya, and Michael Evans Behling

    “All-American” and “All-American: Homecoming” stars Daniel Ezra, Cory Hardrict, Bre-Z, Geffri Maya and Michael Evans Behling team up to discuss the franchise’s legacy for “Friday Night Vibes Goes Off the Field” on June 14.

  • 2024 ABFF Award Winners

    Sulayman Tahir’s “Peripheral” and “The Waterboyz” director Coke Daniels were among the winners of this year’s Best of ABFF Awards, presented on June 15.

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