Denzel and John David Washington talk about working on ‘The Piano Lesson’ under the direction of ‘Mama Boy’ Malcolm

Premiering in theaters on Friday, November 8, the film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning family drama “The Piano Lesson” is a real family affair. Denzel Washington and oldest daughter Katia Washington are executive producers of the film, which was directed by his youngest son Malcolm, in addition to oldest son John David Washington. The matriarch of the family, Pauletta Washington, and Malcolm’s twin, Olivia, also appear as younger and older versions of the same character.

IN recent interview with “Additional” correspondent Mona Kosar Abdi, Denzel discussed working with family and specifically learn how to do it his son Malcolm did this in his first foray as a feature film director.

“When he started, you know, calling it ‘Action,’ and here we go, here we go. We’ll see what he does, you know,” said the patriarch and legend of cinema. As it turned out, Malcolm was up to the challenge. “He was so prepared that there was no reason to be nervous on the first day,” Denzel added.

John David, star of “The Piano Lesson,” agreed, saying, “I couldn’t have picked a better leader to do this. I was excited to see how (Malcolm) saw the work, how he saw the words. He is a brilliant man, my brother, and yet he is very open and susceptible to ideas and cooperation. So I love that quality of his, and he definitely applied it to our work environment, so it was easy,” he continued. “I didn’t think of him as a brother, I thought of him more as who he is, which is a phenomenal director. So in that respect it was easy because I’m just a fan of his work.”

However, it was the influence of one other member of the Washington family that dominated the film; Denzel’s wife, actress and mother of 4 children Pauletta Washington.

“She was on set with us and Denzel always said she was the producer,” said the co-executive producer. Todd Black, noting that the veteran actress plays “a huge part of all four children’s lives” and guides them “with such care, guidance and a strong hand.”

Denzel had a rather different opinion about his wife’s influence on his son Malcolm, who dedicated the film “The Piano Lesson” to her.

“Where’s Dad?” the Oscar winner joked about the dedication, adding, “I’ve been waiting — it’ll keep scrolling, something else will come up.”

He added: “He – and I say this with all love and he’ll let you know – (Malcolm) is a mama’s boy. He will now be sitting on his mother’s lap.

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For John David, the experience of working along with his parents and siblings — together with Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, Ray Fisher, Stephan James, Erykah Badu and more — was helpful as they worked to further his artistic legacy.

“We were all in the trenches together,” he said. “Likewise, we understand the traditions here, we understand the importance and importance and how relevant August (Wilson) continues to be, and it is our job to lead and uphold that message.”

Thanks to this production, the legacy of the Washington family continues to grow. “I understand, respect and take with me the artists that both my parents are, the people they were before they met, the artists they are, and I try to maintain it and instill it in every project” Jan Dawid continued. “I come to art humble, hungry and longing for knowledge. I just wish to proceed to learn, grow and expand who I will be.

“I think if I do that and attack with urgency, ferocity and ruthlessness, I think that’s how I can maintain or sustain the legacy.”

“The Piano Lesson” is now available in select U.S. theaters and might be streaming on Netflix on November 22.