“American Fiction" Director Cord Jefferson Talks Black Storytelling and Working with Jeffrey Wright

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I just watched it a couple of weeks ago, what an amazing picture. So smart, funny and, very emotional, clearly a masterpiece from the start till the last scene 👏👏👏😊 congratulations to all the people involved.

This movie was SO GOOD!!!

American Fiction was a refreshing change, the casting was excellent, the storyline engaging. Well done, Percival Everett/Cord Jefferson! Good to see the legend, Leslie Uggams. Please keep her in the sequel.

American Fiction is excellent !!!

Such a thoughtful interview and perspective; defining liminal space about race, family relationships and love, centering and decentering, and the creative struggle for representation against perpetual status quo gatekeepers. Worth the full view.

A intelligent kind of movie that you don’t see often. The casting was superb.

This film was incredible.

Must see movie. Saw it today and loved it!

American Fiction was so good, and so was this interview. It's ironic, albeit typical, how he escaped journalism just to face the same things in fiction. Refreshing to have some variety in fiction to sate the tastes of those of us for whom My Pafology ain't it. We need more dramas, comedies, and thrillers that decenter historical trauma.

Omg I am so excited for this movie😊

People who passed on this movie must be kicking themselves now😂

Cord Jefferson is brave sharing his heart and what drives his work, so looking forward to seeing the movie with my family over the holidays. Have just loaded the soundtrack by Laura Karpman. Great footage.

I hope he wins Oscar best adapted screenplay..brilliant!😂🎉😊

I have been waiting for this, I wish it was being streamed. The cast is incredible. The story is on point. I might have to venture out to the theatre for this one

While it sounds like Spike Lee essentially did the same thing with "Bamboozled" this looks funny and essentially different from that. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

I was a little upset when I watched a recent cast panel and heard it would be widely released (including my city) in January because I was looking forward to going to a movie theater for the first time since 2019 during the holidays. Now, to watch this and hear it was originally supposed to be in theaters everywhere last month (November)? I'm sure there is a reason for a two month delay, but for those looking forward to seeing it, this is so not cool. Still looking forward to seeing it, though, and thanks for this interview.

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: Cord Jefferson discusses his directorial debut, "American Fiction," starring Jeffrey Wright, which he also wrote the screenplay for, adapted from Percival Everett's novel "Erasure." Jefferson highlights his diverse portfolio, including his work on acclaimed series like "Watchmen," "The Good Place," and "Succession," earning him accolades such as Emmy Awards and Writers Guild Awards. He shares his journey from journalism to television, expressing frustration with the expectation to only tell tragic stories about Black people. The film "American Fiction" explores themes of identity, satire, and the commodification of Black suffering, drawing inspiration from works like "The Hollywood Shuffle" and "Bamboozled." Jefferson emphasizes the importance of humor and resilience in Black storytelling, aiming to create a satirical yet grounded film that addresses real-life issues. His interactions with Percival Everett and Jeffrey Wright were pivotal to the project, with both individuals supporting and contributing to the film's vision. 19:51 Cord Jefferson aimed to ground his film in reality, making it relatable while exploring a range of emotions. 20:51 Cord Jefferson sought to depict authentic human experiences in his movie, deviating from stereotypes and portraying characters realistically. 22:15 Cord Jefferson emphasizes the importance of portraying diverse characters authentically, not just as token representations, but as fully realized individuals. 23:07 Cord Jefferson aimed to tell stories that deserve to be told, such as the struggles of a midlife gay man, avoiding tokenism or pandering. 24:29 Cord Jefferson criticizes the notion that writers can't authentically depict characters from different backgrounds, emphasizing the universality of human experiences. 25:52 Cord Jefferson prioritizes character depth, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and consulting with people from diverse backgrounds to create authentic portrayals. 26:51 Cord Jefferson aims for authenticity in depicting a black family's experiences, avoiding extremes of light-heartedness or excessive tragedy. 28:43 Cord Jefferson rejects superficial representations of queer characters, aiming for authenticity and depth in their portrayal. 29:13 Cord Jefferson highlights the joyous atmosphere on set and laments the underutilization of talented actors, hoping the film will give them more opportunities. 31:37 Cord Jefferson drew from personal experiences, such as caring for his mother, to infuse realism into the film's family dynamics. 36:44 Cord Jefferson wanted the film to reflect the complexity of life by intertwining elements of family drama and satire. Cord Jefferson expresses frustration with the lack of new ideas in storytelling and the tendency to remake existing content. He highlights the importance of courage in bringing fresh narratives to the screen, despite resistance from industry gatekeepers. Jefferson discusses the challenges of convincing studios to support unconventional stories that deviate from the norm. He praises films like "Moonlight" for centering Black experiences without catering to a white audience. Jefferson reflects on the struggle to find a suitable title for his film "American Fiction" and the significance of the chosen name in addressing societal constructs like race. Made with HARPA A

The best ideas come when you're stoned.

Weird that he thinks it’s all drama. There are a TON of black comedies.