Entertainment
Malcolm Washington and the cast of “The Piano Lesson” about family and the creation of historic black cinema – Essence
(Photo: Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Netflix)
Filmmaker Malcolm Washington and the cast of the Netflix series – Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler and John David Washington – discuss the importance of family, healing together and letting go of generational fears.
August Wilson’s historic film adaptation of Washington, D.C. has turn into a family-friendly cinematic endeavor. A theatrical release on November 8 and on Netflix on November 22 signifies that filmmaking is outwardly an inherent gene in the Washington family’s DNA. Denzel Washington, two-time Oscar winner and Malcolm’s father, produced the film and starred his other son, John David. “My mom is a pianist,” says first-time director Malcolm Washington. “She couldn’t play the piano for a long time. She had a strange relationship with the piano and that became very powerful in the story.”
In 1990, Wilson’s play won the Pulitzer Prize for its dramatized narrative presenting a realistically complex portrait of family life for Black Americans in Mississippi and Pittsburgh from 1911 to 1936 during the Jim Crow era. The successful 2022 Broadway version of Wilson’s work starred Jackson as “Doaker” and John David as “Boy Willie.”
“He was so generous” – John David talks about working with Jackson, who played many of the roles of August Wilson. “He has 40 years of experience with this text alone.”
Jackson’s repertoire of characters in cinema tends to convey a palpable sense of armed masculinity and toughness. Doaker could be very much the latter, which adds depth to Jackson’s varied game. From taking over the role of “Boy Willie” at Yale Theater School in 1987 to playing the quiet “Doaker” on Broadway in 2022, Jackson’s return gave him an entire recent perspective on these harrowing characters. “When you adapt, you have to lose a lot of things because you’re going beyond the original material and expanding the scope of the script itself,” Jackson states. “People and places will come together, and Willie is the engine that drives this story, while Doaker is the unwavering spirit.”
Next to him, Jackson was the headstrong Deadwyler, who took on the role of consciously protective mother and daughter, Berniece. Her character makes it her life’s work to take care of the most precious family heirloom, the piano that stood of their front room day by day. This piano was stolen from the Charles family by their ancestors’ slave owners, the Sutters. The instrument is a manifested vessel of blood, cultural and generational heritage, and knowledge that has outlined a family’s lineage; despite living in times that attempted to erase their each day existence. “When we were shooting the movie, my mom came on set and I saw her play the piano for the first time in years,” Washington recalled. “I haven’t heard this since I was young, it touched everyone and got everyone emotional.”
Black music and spirituality have been intertwined for hundreds of years, and Wilson’s raw play shows how collective trauma and the refusal to face fear can hinder a family’s healing. John David’s fiery portrayal of Willie shows that the pursuit of opportunity doesn’t all the time equate to true manhood and a fruitful legacy. His siblings’ conflicts with Berniece cause tension to mount in the family home, causing unexpected, terrifying ghosts to linger and resurface. “I think about stories and how important they are in keeping us connected across generations,” Deadwyler says, sitting next to John David. “I have a set of earrings from my grandmother and it speaks to how possessions can contribute to folklore in creating a family.”
When it involves collaborating with esteemed Black performers who’ve had illustrious careers on stage and screen, Deadwyler goes back to pure basics. “It’s an education,” Deadwyler describes his craft. “Art is a spiritual endeavor. It’s a political and personal endeavor, and doing it with serious people makes it all seem real. Filmmaking is meant to change who you are, and in turn, possibly change others, as well as create a rich conversation within the larger community.”
Growing up in Los Angeles, Malcolm Washington credits movies like these with giving him the artistic dimension to tackle his first film project. His directorial debut is all about sparking conversations and letting emotions run high. uses dialogue as a dynamic tool while moving the audience without clear directives or resolutions for the Charles family. It focuses on character relationships that leave audiences reeling – “the material found me when I needed it most, and I’m grateful it did,” Malcolm explains to me.
“Malcolm has a very clear vision,” says John David of witnessing his brother’s first directorial appearance. “He has always been a director I am a fan of. He was an artist I admire and someone I was ready to spread my wings with… and he took off.”
When adapting from stage to film, the creative collaboration of Malcolm and his family knew they’d to succinctly tackle confronting scenes related to grief, acceptance of loss and familial uncertainty. “My approach to the house, where most of the film was shot, was to chase dynamism,” Malcolm details his directing techniques. “I really wanted a camera that was moving, wandering and dynamic, speaking to the subtext of the scenes, able to communicate what was between the lines and sometimes working in opposition to the lines, something that would represent the subjective experience of the film and reach inside the characters.”
Although the dialogue Wilson had originally created was of great value to the filmmaking, Malcolm focused on allowing his multi-talented cast to take a relaxed approach to bring the organic performances to life. “I wanted the cast to find a rhythm that felt good for us as a whole, so we would break through the kind of stiffness that can sometimes come with a sacred work when we are so afraid.”
In this case, viewers can follow the events in the Charles family home as tensions rise when Berniece touches the piano keys. She and the piano are a tethered source and conduit for a lot of of her family’s invisible guardian angels – their ancestors. Earth, wind, fire and water are seasonal because despite the fact that family and community dynamics may change, nature will all the time remain, but the most significant thing is when everyone comes together.
When Willie’s dad shows him the land and notes that it’s the land that may take more,” Washington continues. “His father puts his hand on his back and I remember my dad doing the same thing and putting his giant hand on my little back.” This idyllic, easy scene is the quintessence of the essential story that Malcom creates, which goals to firmly root and ground Black people in the family despite confusion and troubles. The full gathering of the Charles family in the final minutes is conflict, climax and resolution – together they only archive their presence through memory. “I will never take for granted the love that goes into a project. Sacrifice required from everyone, from top to bottom,” Washington says.
Entertainment
Simone Biles torn apart after giving George Strait’s wife a ‘vulgar look’ while fans came to her defense
Did Olympic gymnast Simone Biles cut George Strait’s wife’s eyes on the Country Music Awards?
Some people think so after a viral video of Biles, 27, showing her frustration within the audience on the 58th annual CMA Awards on November 20.
In several clips circulating online, the 27-year-old gave Strait’s wife, Norma Strait, a “dirty look” on the annual awards show where her husband was honored with the John Paul II Lifetime Achievement Award. Willie Nelson.
“Does anyone know if there is a dispute between Simone Biles and George Strait’s wife?” – one in all the X users asked on the evening of this system.
X’s post included a clip of Biles looking nervous as Norma and other attendees danced in the gang on the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony tribute performance.
The tribute to the “King of Country Music” featured country stars Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum. Additionally, Chris Stapleton joined Strait on stage to walk through the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” to conclude the segment.
Speculation about Biles’ possible disdain shown on the CMA Awards has turn into a topic of debate online, with fans and critics taking sides in the controversy.
“I watched it live and wondered the same thing, and then death looked up and down, she definitely hated!” answer on X platform he stated.
Original X poster he replied“As long as I’m not the only one who saw it.”
However, the legendary gymnast had her defenders. For example, user X sent“He’s probably just watching her reaction (honestly) without thinking about the cameras.”
“Nothing happened” – another person he argued. “George Strait’s wife doesn’t care about messy things like that. It looks like Simone could have a resting face. She wasn’t the one black person either. There are many Black people in country music, from singers to musicians.
George Strait, 72, makes a rare appearance with wife Norma on the 2024 CMA Awards #George #quarrel https://t.co/ua4Xcsjdsq pic.twitter.com/vYByc0Ub6k
— DHNDE (@dhndecom) November 21, 2024
Similar entry To read“I saw it and cringed, it’s just her face, but she should politely decline if she doesn’t like country music.”
Another fan he wrote“She probably saw the camera give attention to George Strait’s wife and just looked around curiously. I do not think she’s giving a mischievous have a look at all, she just looks like she’s noticed that the camera is specializing in the people next to her.
Despite questions on Biles’ on-screen response, the multiple-time world champion expressed her excitement to attend the 2024 CMA Awards on the day of the event.
Biles reposted photos from the evening on her Instagram Story. In one photo, shared by hairstylist Justin Revenge, the Olympic gold medalist showed off the short red dress she wore to the red carpet, in addition to the silver off-the-shoulder dress she wore to the CMA Gala.
The star of the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” appeared at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to present the Female Vocalist of the Year award to country singer Lainey Wilson.
Lainey Wilson won the Female Vocalist of the Year category, beating out fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.
Biles herself had a successful 12 months as an athlete. The Texas native won 4 medals on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, bringing her profession total to a record 11 victories for an American gymnast.
However, Vice President Kamala Harris couldn’t replicate Biles’ success because the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Harris lost to former President Donald Trump within the nationwide election.
Biles publicly called on current Democratic President Joe Biden to take a stand on behalf of American women before Republican MAGA leader Trump enters the White House on January 20, 2025.
“Mr. Biden, you need to stand up, straighten your back and shake some things up before you go… xoxo women of America,” the Olympian wrote on Twitter on November 6 in response to the election results.
Entertainment
What do you know about Cynthia Erivo?
With the discharge of Wicked fast approaching, it’s protected to say that Cynthia Erivo is on fire straight away.
The film adaptation of the Broadway musical (which is an adaptation of a best-selling novel based on one other novel) is about to open to over $175 million worldwide this weekend, and Erivo has just landed a significant deal.
Universal Pictures has struck a first-look cope with its production company Edith’s Daughter, Deadline reported.
“Having spent the last three years working with Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the Universal team on Wicked, I have experienced first-hand the love and fearlessness with which they tell stories and uplift narrators,” said Erivo. “I am absolutely delighted to take the next step in our cooperation under our first-look agreement. This is not only a milestone for my production company, but also a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in film. I can’t wait to bring our visions to life and share them with the world!”
However, some could also be just discovering the 37-year-old from Stockwell, London (where she was born right into a family of Nigerian immigrants) or may don’t know about her background and profession to this point. There’s quite a bit to like about the Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner – and much more to grasp beneath the surface. Below we have gathered some things you have to know about Erivo, including some very necessary ones.
He is a Broadway sensation
Before Erivo became a star of the silver screen, she made a reputation for herself on the stage. The actress’ breakthrough role was the role of Celie within the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. From 2015 to 2017, she delivered critically acclaimed, groundbreaking performances, winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
She has played several iconic black characters
Aretha Franklin, Harriet Tubman and Recy Taylor are black American historical figures immortalized on screen by Erivo, who has played all of them in movies. Shortly after her Broadway run in 2017, Erivo played Taylor in “The Rape of Recy Taylor.” She then starred as Tubman within the 2019 film “Harriet.”
In 2021, Erivo played Franklin within the National Geographic anthology “Genius: Aretha”. While critics praised her performance, Franklin’s family had a special tackle the project, claiming she was never consulted and even felt “disrespected” by the production team.
He is a queer icon
Earlier this yr, Erivo received the Schrader Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center as a self-proclaimed member for her talent and support of the queer community.
“Acknowledging that I am queer publicly – especially in the public eye – means taking a risk to claim my freedom,” she said in her speech through which she agreed to return out as queer later in life. “It seems we prefer to see the world in black and white rather than accept the difficult (but beautiful) complexities of our humanity.”
Although it has never been explicitly confirmed, Erivo has long been considered one half of a fairly powerful Black Hollywood power couple, as she is commonly seen at red carpet events alongside fellow industry heavyweight Lena Waithe.
He has a novel sense of fashion
From shaving her eyebrows to her signature long and ornamental nails, Erivo is understood for her daring sense of fashion. Her uniqueness was even incorporated into her makeup for “Wicked.” The makeup artist used stencils to attract eyebrows and add freckles. Meanwhile, a special shade of green face and body makeup was developed to make Erivo’s melaninated skin appear “clearly” on screen, and the shade was named “Cynthia Green,” the film’s makeup artist said People Magazine. It’s value noting that despite the hours-long application process required day by day for months of filming, she also said that Erivo “never, ever, ever complained.”
She doesn’t suffer fools
Social media was abuzz this week with response to actor/podcast host Dax Shepard’s invasive query about Erivo’s signature elaborate manicure, specifically how he moves through it while using the lavatory. When footage of her interview with Shepard hit the Internet, many individuals were quick to sentence its inappropriateness, asking her how she wipes herself while having very long, jeweled nails.
“My answer is that no one wipes their ass with just their fingers. You use wipes, right? And you wipe it off,” she replied calmly.
Erivo further expressed her annoyance with this query; the one she had exhibited before.
“I understand, it annoys me. Come on, guys,” she said. “I understand, but I’m a functioning adult and I’ve never walked around smelling like… you know.”
People participating within the discussion found this query rude, disgusting and invasive. It can also be, as Erivo identified, unoriginal. In response to this viral exchange, some have responded by demonstrating how they adapt these very human processes to long fingernails – and shockingly, it’s just about the identical process we have all been doing since potty training. It’s really not that complicated.
He has some questionable tweets in his search history
When it was announced in 2018 that Erivo would play Harriet Tubman within the biopic “Harriet,” the British actress’s seemingly problematic comments made years earlier about the language of Black Americans inevitably resurfaced. As previously reported by theGrio, this compounded existing questions about the choice to forged British-born Erivo because the historical African-American hero, given what some perceived as a disdain for African-American culture.
“As for the tweets, they were taken out of context, giving me no room to explain what they meant – and they weren’t actually mocking anyone,” she explained on the time: Complex reported. “It was not intended to be (offensive) at all. It was to celebrate a song I (wrote) when I was 16.”
Speaking further about the controversy during an event on the Toronto International Film Festival, she said: “I actually have never… never spoken negatively about people because I don’t desire to; I don’t desire this energy to be passed on to others.”
She continued: “I do not think it’s good for us in any respect; I do not think it serves any purpose apart from to bring negativity into my life and yours, and I just don’t desire that.
Perhaps he has some tension with the band in “The Color Purple.”
For unknown reasons, Erivo claims she was not invited to a special screening of the musical “The Color Purple” for family and friends, which was also attended by other members of her Broadway forged. It’s a bit strange that the Tony-winning revival star wasn’t on the guest list. When asked about her apparent rejection in the course of the interview and whether it reflected her initial considerations for Celie’s role within the film adaptation, Erivo suggested she couldn’t talk about it.
Despite every little thing, he’s capable of admit his mistake
Erivo can have had mixed emotions previously as a result of questionable comments or her unwavering passion for her craft, but she is ultimately capable of admit when she was incorrect. In the lead-up to Wicked’s premiere, fan-made art got here to light that edited the film’s poster to look more like the unique Broadway Playbill, obscuring Erivo’s direct gaze with the brim of her witch hat. The actress was initially very offended, but later admitted that she can have overreacted.
“I think for me it was a human moment…” she later explained. “I probably should have called my friends, but I’m fine.”
After all, she is an expert
Say what you want, but Cynthia Erivo is robust and talented. He can also be a one that is alleged to place the nice of the team ahead of his personal glory. During a recent appearance on “Cutting room floor” podcast, she described her technique of coming into harmony together with her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande and the way the 2 worked together to create a unified sound fairly than resorting to diva-like behavior in an try and outshine one another.
For example, although she and Grande have very different voices, Erivo noted that what they’ve in common is way more necessary.
“I think what connects us is the way we hear music, so we can hear each other,” she explained. “And the beauty of singing with someone who can also hear is that you follow each other back and forth. We can find ways to make our textures and sounds make sense, and that’s really hard with humans.”
Erivo added: “It also signifies that you found someone completely selfless because they care about working with you, and being an element of that’s essentially the most amazing thing. When you find someone who’s committed to creating sound together, (there may be) no ego.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg Takes Over ‘Amazon Music Live’ in Season 3 Finale – Essence
Snoop Dogg attends the Los Angeles Premiere of “Gladiator II” held on the TCL Chinese Theater on November 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
When Snoop Dogg takes the stage at Amazon Music Live on November 29, it is the moment hip-hop fans have been waiting for. The West Coast legend ends Season 3 with a performance that guarantees to be nothing in need of legendary.
Airing after Black Friday Football at 7pm EST on Prime Video and Twitchthe show will showcase his expansive musical journey, combining chart toppers with deep cuts that defined a complete generation.
Sponsored by the brand new 2025 Nissan Kicks, fans can expect an exclusive first hearken to songs from his upcoming album ‘Missionary’, which might be released next month. The announcement comes at a critical point in Snoop’s profession and marks the following evolution of an artist who moves seamlessly between music, acting and entrepreneurship.
Amazon Music Live has change into a powerhouse of musical innovation, and Snoop’s final performance epitomizes what it’s all about. Throughout Season 3, the series featured standout moments from artists resembling Jelly Roll, who brought together country and rock stars for an epic performance, and Big Sean, who paid tribute to historically black colleges and universities together with his breathtaking tribute .
For those that wish to have fun in advance and luxuriate in the final word Snoop experience, Amazon Music has REDISCOVER Snoop Dogg playlist it’s the proper foundation. It’s a musical time capsule chronicling his journey from the Long Beach underground scene to world-famous superstardom. Each track tells the story of an artist who not only survived in the music industry, but fundamentally modified it.
With 16 Grammy nominations to his name, Snoop continues to prove that he’s greater than only a rapper – he’s a real entertainment icon. His influence extends far beyond music, touching on film, television, cannabis culture and entrepreneurship. The Black Friday performance might be the following chapter in a profession defined by constant reinvention.
The performance isn’t only about music – it’s also a presentation of, amongst others, recent nissan kicks 2025. As an official sponsor of Amazon Music Live, the compact crossover was integrated throughout the season, giving fans a glimpse of its modern style and advanced technologies through pre-show and in-person experiences on the show.
For those in the Los Angeles area, a limited variety of tickets can be found from DICE. But for everybody else, Prime Video and Twitch will bring the magic of Doggfather right to your screen. It’s a probability to see a living legend in top form, delivering a performance that guarantees to be as unpredictable and electrifying as Snoop himself.
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