Opening night of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival always sets the tone for the rest of the event and Saturday’s gala screening raised the bar to Hollywood royalty heights.
The Piano Lesson, the theatrical release of playwright August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning drama, closed out the festival’s first night. The movie follows the lives of the Charles family as they deal with themes of family legacy and more, in deciding what to do with an heirloom, the family piano.
Starring John David Washington and directed by Malcolm Washington, the son of Academy Award-winning actor/director, Denzel Washington, the production had a lot of hype from the start. But with Hollywood, greatness comes with even greater expectations. The cast and crew walked the red carpet before the screening. Augusta Business Daily was there and asked director Malcolm if he received any advice from his famous father. (The elder Washington adapted and starred in Wilson’s ‘Fences’ for the big screen in 2016.)
“My dad was very clear that August Wilson is somebody that should be revered and the respect should be there. Make sure that you take care of August and the legacy as we made this film,” explained Malcolm Washington.
When asked what it was like directing his older brother and other family members (his mother and sister also have roles), Washington had nothing but praise: “There was incredible trust. Everybody came together to make something and honor something larger than us. It was wonderful to be together and push the rock up the hill together.”
The Piano Lesson, rated PG-13 for strong language, violent content, some suggestive reference, and smoking, premieres in theaters beginning November 8.
