A powerful and emotional journey through the legacy of family and the deep roots of history, The Piano Lesson is set to enthral audiences this autumn. Based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, this highly anticipated film brings the timeless story to the big screen under the direction of Malcolm Washington, marking his feature directorial debut.
The film will be released in select cinemas from 8th November, with a global premiere on Netflix on 22nd November. The Piano Lesson will also be featured as a special presentation at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival on 10th September.
Directed and co-written by Malcolm Washington, the film stars an outstanding cast led by Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, and Danielle Deadwyler, with supporting performances from Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, and Erykah Badu.
Malcolm Washington on The Piano Lesson:
“I honour the spirit of August Wilson and the legacy he left behind for all of us. A legacy that thrives in the power of Danielle Deadwyler’s Berniece, the dynamism of John David Washington’s Boy Willie, and the understated brilliance that is Samuel L. Jackson’s Doaker.
Every family has a history, stories from the past that inform the present; an origin story. Ultimately, this story is much bigger than me and my family—it, like the Black American experience, is an interconnected web of stories that span space and time. I hope that when audiences experience our film, they see themselves on the screen and hear the voices of their ancestors calling to them, offering peace and protection.”
About The Piano Lesson:
At the heart of The Piano Lesson lies a brewing conflict in the Charles household. A prized heirloom piano stands between two siblings, threatening to tear them apart. Boy Willie (John David Washington) is determined to sell the piano to build the family fortune, but his sister Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler) clings to it as a symbol of their family’s heritage. Their uncle, Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson), tries to mediate between them, but even he cannot hold back the ghosts of the past.
The Piano Lesson dives deep into themes of identity, resilience, and the transcendent power of history. The film explores how our understanding of the past shapes our present and future, raising profound questions about who gets to define our legacy. Directed and co-written by Malcolm Washington, the film is produced by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Denzel Washington and Todd Black.