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‘American Fiction’ Starring Jeffrey Wright and Sterling K. Brown Explores the Many Ways You Can’t Put Black People in a Box — and It Deserves All the Awards

With five major Oscar nominations and a BAFTA win for Best Adapted Screenplay, there’s a lot of buzz around it Cord Jeffersonthe glorious directorial debut of “American Fiction” is about to succeed in a glorious crescendo.
A superb, astutely self-aware and outrageously funny drama about a frustrated black professor-writer’s literary prank gone awry, based on Percival Everett’s 2001 novel “Erasure.” Written for the screen by Jefferson, it’s the story of Thelonious Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), under the pseudonym Monk, the creator of smart, academic books that do not sell. Deeply irritated by the largely white publishing industry’s refusal to take a look at the African American experience beyond masking and blaxploitation, obsessive about “killer dads, rappers, crack” and their constant “fascination with black traumatic porn”, he decides one evening “Rub their noses in the horse bullshit they are asking for.”

The result was “My Pafology” – a book highlighting all the stereotypes about the Black community in obscene hyperbole, written by Monk under the pseudonym “Stagg R. Leigh” – an imaginary convict. “My Paphology” is Monk’s way of giving the middle finger to a literary industry that wishes to cut back the complex identity of its people to race, and race alone. But, to his surprise, the elite white publishing house doesn’t just take it at face value. For this, they provide him a ridiculous advance of $750,000. Even a distinguished Hollywood director approached him with a proposal for a film adaptation. Soon, the profession he had worked diligently over many years to construct snowballed, but in a completely unexpected way.
“American Fiction” is a scathing commentary on how we now have nurtured a culture that likes to stifle people into boxes, relegating the fullness, richness, and diversity of our human experience to a trivial category. But Jefferson fights with all his might. Perhaps his hero has unknowingly written the best novel in a genre he despises. But Jefferson doesn’t do silly things like that. He assures that his film is greater than just obvious racism. Along with Monk’s skilled disillusionment, there’s parallel turmoil inside his well-educated, upper-middle-class family.
The way Jefferson seamlessly blends the two dimensions of Monk’s life is harking back to a recent Andrew Scott film “We Are All Strangers” (2023). It’s a heartbreaking portrait of a lonely screenwriter who, in his old childhood home, begins to fulfill his deceased parents and check with them about the whole lot he never could because they died in a automotive accident when he was only 12 years old. Around the same time, he also begins to open up and fall in love with a young man who lives in the same constructing as him. Director Andrew Haigh’s delightful psychological fantasy, All of Us Strangers, is like a fever dream that can haunt you at unexpected moments.
While it’s a very different, sharply subversive and categorically humorous film, “American Fiction” hits just as hard. It greater than deserves all five Oscar nominations. Jefferson has been creating tragicomedy for hundreds of years. A former journalist, he has previously written for various highly acclaimed television shows – Succession (2018-2023), The Good Place (2016-2020), Master of None (2015-2021) – and won an Emmy Award for his work on the HBO series “Watchmen” (2019).
In American Fiction, his uncanny skill with the pen gives you a mirror to reflect on, encouraging you to query your deep-seated prejudices. The film’s dialogues deserve a detailed evaluation of their very own. He is piercingly sensible, razor sharp, unflinchingly honest, and crammed with irony and exuberance.
A couple of scenes stand out. There’s one where Monk is humming “My Paphology” late at night. When he writes dialogue, his characters – father and son – jump off the page into the room and start acting out the scene. Then there are all the conversations he has on the landline along with his white editors, each another outrageously silly than the last. Another standout feature is the sparring discussion he has with renowned creator Sintara Golden (Issa Rae), one other black author who he believes has made her popular.
It’s hard to assume anyone apart from Wright playing the touchy-feely, snobbish Monk. There is a lot noise inside and around him that it might crumble in the hands of a lesser actor. But Wright plays him with such assured restraint that I enjoy watching him unravel, turn out to be the butt of his own joke, unlearn, and then learn a little and loosen up his tight ass. It’s a good, career-defining performance that deserves not only critical acclaim, but additionally a shiny gold trophy.
“American Fiction”, which is currently competing for Oscars in the categories for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay, features an all-star forged: Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae and Leslie Uggams. The film is now available to observe in theaters and rent on Prime Video.
This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Entertainment
Your guide to the necessary events this month-i

May serves as an unofficial start of the summer season. Graduation, Mother’s Day and Weekend on the occasion of Remembrance Day are the most significant events of the month, together with the return of WNBA. When it comes to sneakers, it implies that the houses of the Brotherhood can finally allow those that, a cooked Air Force graduate, my mother can get several pairs that show softness and love, you’ll find the perfect shoe for beach classes. And finally, we will finally answer the query where the shoe is.
Angel Reese uses a small shavnosis

Reebok
Since signing the contract with Reebok, Angel Reese has given us many footwear options, from her collection to the debut of the first Reebok shoe for years. While we’re waiting for the first characteristic REESE shoe, it still gives us a fresh approach to Reebok classics. The latest is her tribute to her “uncle Shaqa” and his Shaqnosis. This pair with the Shaq and Angel Reese logo is a perfect representation of summer in washed gray and western beads with gold notes.
Release date: May 1
Retail sales: USD 150
Because he still knows

Nike
At the starting of 2000, “Auburn” Nike Trainer SC was my Graal shoe. He is legendary for worn by my favorite athlete, because Jackson, it was one shoe that I told myself that I’d retire if I ever get it. We can now call it a lie a couple of hundred couples later. But to be honest, shoes just don’t retro so often. This classic cross training continues to be one among my most beloved, so I probably collect one because having crunchy pair on ice is mandatory. I only need some Girbaud denim shorts and a white shirt to finish your outfit.
Release date: May 1
Retail sales: USD 130
Adidas keeps it nice

Adidas
What happens whenever you mix fashion and future technology? You get Adidas air con. Completely printed in 3D shoes have arc support and heel lining, in addition to 360 degrees of air thanks to the kindness of a large grille. Simply put, these shoes are greater than aesthetic; They are also practical, which makes them ideal for summer days when you will have to do the trick quickly.
Release date: May 2
Retail sales: USD 140
Anatomy of a very good gray shoe

New Balance
Gray is analogous to black and white when it’s used on shoes and garments. All three colours can look so different with the slightest tone correction or when using various materials. The South Korean label of Thisisnever, which proves that the theory by utilizing a subdued color palette on a scale of gray and mixing in Premium Pigskin, Synthetic Nubuck and Mesh to get a fresh take a look at the New Balance 991V2 runner. It was definitely one among the higher latest models released in the previous few years.
Release date: May 5
Retail sales: USD 270
A’one in any respect a’rries

Nike
Over the years, when the popularity of WNBA and ladies’s basketball increased, the query and conversation focused on when the star of Las Vegas aces a’ja Wilson will receive her characteristic shoes. This moment is finally when A’one is available in a mix of pink shades with details scattered over the shoe, which pay tribute to her travel in the type of Celtic symbols for her parents and inspiration of pearls to represent her grandmother. Most importantly, the name Wilson is on the fingers of each shoe, thanks to which everyone knows whose shoes it’s.
Retail sales: USD 110
Release date: May 6
Nike cooked the classic

Nike
Let’s assume that it happens that you just enter every university campus, music festival or anywhere where Gen X may be present in a big number: you will likely see that the air forces, which according to older generations, saw higher days. But for the current generation they’re in perfect condition. Although they’ll develop into, dirty and cracked, as if worn for months, the real surprise is that over time, as a substitute of becoming a more dirty version of the dirty shoe, the upper gives way to a clean upper, as if fresh from the box.
Release date: May 7
Retail sales: USD 130
Deion shows love to his mother

Nike
Mother’s Day just around the corner is only a deion sanders Shows love to his motherConnie Sanders, with the latest issue of Diamond Turf ’96. Using the red, commonly accepted color of affection, things are easy here. Upper also accommodates notes of white that can help to convey the message, because it was a dozen or so roses. One special accent lies in the inscriptions “love you, mom” on the inserts.
Release date: May 9
Retail sales: USD 170
Caroline Hu gives samba softer

Adidas
The Chinese clothier Caroline Hu slowly pulls out a novel space thanks to the cooperation of Adidas and this is softness and female touch. Her latest sees Samba translates, exchanging traditional skin or canvas, into satin and lace. This update immediately removes heritage in a football court and makes it suitable for a date or evening with friends. Available in red, silver and navy blue I can do many couples for various occasions.
Release date: May 9
Retail sales: USD 160
Kevin Durant’s latest return

Barry Gossage/Nbae via Getty Images
We saw Nike Basketball uses a book 1 to recycled of old colours in latest ways. This time they tried the same approach to the characteristic model of Kevin Durant, reviving the most famous colours AirThe rims shoe from the 90s widely related to the former heat guardian Miami Tim Hardaway. The old biting looks rare, unless it gives such results.
Release date: May 15
Retail sales: USD 150
Nuggets PE Carmelo Anthony receives the right edition

Jordan Brand
Long before Carmelo Anthony became often known as the host of the podcast or dad Kiyan Anthony for a certain generation, he was one among the best players in the NBA and face from the Jordan brand for the latest generation. Sale of being an athlete from Jordan? Custom retros in team color. One of the cleanest couples was this pair of Jordan 12s in Anthony’s color scheme when he was a member of Denver Nuggets. Simplicity is a game, because a solid white upper leather sits on a blue outer sole with powder blue accents on the shoe, thanks to which it’s a straightforward selection to slide into the rotation of sneakers.
Release date: May 17
Retail sales: USD 200
Jordan 4 “White cement “returns

Jordan Brand
One of the most significant and hottest shoes in the history of Jordan Brand triumphantly returns for the first time since 2016. This 12 months’s edition is a component of the brand celebrations of 40 years. It repairs many complaints and sneakerhead tanks – the overall shape is closer to the original model from 1989, and the side mesh and the heel tab has been adapted to reflect the original version. I’d advise anyone who was fascinated about them to double them.
Release date: May 24
Retail sales: USD 225
Sporty & Rich Sticks to Retro Runners

Adidas
Sporty & Rich explained that they love to dig in the treasury of Adidas and pull out forgotten figures. Their latest takes them back to 2008, and the Adios Adios 1. White upper with silver overlays turns the model into something suitable for at some point with friends as a substitute of actual running. However, when you determine to do each, know that each one the performance functions from the original are still present.
Release date: TBD
Retail sales: USD 160
Be like Mike in 1996

Jordan Brand
In 1996, this low level of Air Jordan XI was noticed only at Michael Jordan during the Bulls Championship. Quickly forward and at last hits the store shelves. Earlier, we saw the version with a red heel insert, but for the first time a totally black liner-clipping element for purists-he maintains a public edition. Everything else adheres to the classic “grown” formula – the outer sole, white midsole and black uppers.
Release date: April 26
Retail sales: USD 190
Travis Scott goes in the spring “Bright Cactus”

Nike
When Travis Scott isn’t busy Rulescent of stocks with John CenemThe group pays his status of one among the best collaborators in the Nike/Jordan letter. In the latest edition of his Jack Sneakers lists the usual darker tones for light green cactus and cream uppers with black accents. As with any Scott cooperation, they flew, but they sell at low prices on the secondary market.
Date of release: April 30
Retail sales: USD 200
Line notes
This article was originally published on : andscape.com
Entertainment
Jazmine Sullivan, The Roots to Headline 2025 Blue Note Jazz Fest – Essence

Robert Glasper. Photo Frazer Harrison / Jazmine Sullivan. Photo of Mike Coppola
Black Radio Blue Note Jazz Festival, which this summer is a really anticipated return to the NAPA-a composition 2025 is stuffed with talents defining the species. This yr’s edition will happen on August 29–31 on the Meritage Resort and SPA, the essential performances of among the biggest music acts will perform.
The artist’s residence Robert Glasper will once more select and organize the weekend, continuing the heritage of his Black Radio series with a dynamic mixture of jazz, hip-hop, R&B and Soul. This yr’s performers are Jazmin Sullivan, The Roots, Hiatus Kaiyote, Slum Village, Lupe Fiasco, Willow, Terrace Martin, Warren G, Esperanza Spalding, Saba, Little Brother, Big Daddy Kane, and shortly a mysterious act.
On August 28 in Glasper he may even lead the ticket opening dinner and concert individually, starting the weekend in real star fashion. “Black Radio Experience and Robtober are platforms that I use to connect all my favorite artists and colleagues as one big family meeting, and this year is not different!” Glasper said in an announcement. “I am honored that I can be part of such an amazing community and connect this community for the next drug weekend in Napa.”
Fan Presale begins on Wednesday, May 7 at 9:00 PT / 12 PM ET, with general completion on Friday, May 9. Three -day festival passes and full details of events can be found on the Official Blue Note Jazz Festival festival website.
See the complete composition of this yr’s Jazz Blue Note festival.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Entertainment
The second Kehlani concert in New York was canceled, this time due to “security and safety problems”

Another upcoming Kehlani concert, which is to happen in Summersage at Central Park in the Pride month, has been dismissed.
On Monday, May 5, just just a few weeks after her concert was canceled on the University of Cornell, Summerstage announced that they cancel the upcoming Kehlani concert after receiving security and safety problems from the office of the mayor of New York Eric Adams.
“We were notified by the mayor’s office that they have concerns about security and safety problems in connection with the Kehlani concert of June 26,” said the organizers Statement published in social media–Sums that the fears result directly from the “controversy regarding the decision of the University of Cornell” to cancel its program.
“We strongly and definitely believe in all kinds of artistic expression. However, the safety of our guests and artists is of great importance,” the organizers continued. “In the light of these fears, the concert was dismissed.”
The 30-year-old R&B singer responded to the news by publishing “Lol” and noticed that their post was the primary to hear about news, together with fans, AP News Reported.
In posts about news concerning the threads, the singer “After Hours” wrote: “The second program canceled by the state of New York! Reminder: We were played Barclays. :)”
On Tuesday, Adams said that officials wondered if the Kehlani concert in Central Park would affect public safety before making a call CBS messages.
“We wanted to conduct an analysis and make sure that it is not so, and on the basis, without the need to review this full analysis (City Parks Foundation) made this determination,” said Adams.
This cancellation occurs after the Cornell University decision concerning the cancellation of the Kehlani program in April for its constant and loud support of Palestine in the course of the ongoing conflict in gas. Michael Kotlikoff, Michael Kotlikoff, was to perform in the course of the annual “Slopa Day”, when the president of the University of Cornell said that she would now not perform after she allegedly “was in favor of anti -Semitic, anti -Israeli sentiments in performances, films and social media.”
After dismissal, Kehlani began to social media to clean the air round her position.
“I am not anti-Semitic or anti-war. I am an anti-denominant, counteracting the Israeli government, anti-excist to whole people, antibulating innocent children, men and women. This is what I am anti-anti-“-said the singer Instagram video. “The first living at the beginning of this genocide was a really beautiful Jewish organization called Jewish voices (sic) for peace, and I still learn and work with really influential Jewish organizers against this Ludobom.”
In the signature, she continued to write that in addition to Cornell University, other attempts to cancel her programs were made.
“If you want to cancel me on your occasion or because of your Zionism. Do not do it anti-Żyko,” Kehlani wrote in the signature.

(Tagstotransate) Israel Palestine Conflict (T) Cornell University
This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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