The Piano Lesson (2024 film) explained

The Piano Lesson
Director:Malcolm Washington
Music:Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography:Mike Gioulakis
Editing:Leslie Jones
Studio:Mundy Lane Entertainment
Distributor:Netflix
Runtime:125 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

The Piano Lesson is a 2024 American drama film directed by Malcolm Washington, who co-wrote the screenplay with Virgil Williams. It is an adaptation of the 1987 play by August Wilson. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins.

The Piano Lesson premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024, and it was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22.

Production

In September 2015, Denzel Washington announced that he would produce film adaptations of all of August Wilson's plays from the Pittsburgh Cycle series. Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom were released in 2016 and 2020 respectively.

It was announced in April 2023 that Malcolm Washington would make his feature directorial and screenwriting debut with the film, an adaptation of The Piano Lesson, with his brother John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, and Corey Hawkins starring.[1] John David Washington, Jackson, Fisher and Potts reprise their roles from the 2022 stage production of the play.[2] Washington's father, Denzel, is producing the film with Todd Black. In May, singer Erykah Badu was announced to be making a cameo appearance in the film.[3] Gail Bean, Jerrika Hinton, Stephan James, Malik J. Ali, Jay Peterson and Matrell Smith rounded out the cast in June 2023.[4]

Filming began in Atlanta in April 2023.[5] The Pittsburgh Film Office expressed disappointment that the production would not be filming in the city like previous Wilson adaptations.[6]

Release

The film's world premiere took place at the Telluride Film Festival, prior to its international premiere as a special presentation at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[7] [8]

The Piano Lesson was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22.[9] [10]

Reception

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Hamptons International Film FestivalOctober 5, 2024Breakthrough Director AwardMalcolm Washington[11]
Mill Valley Film FestivalOctober 5, 2024MVFF Acting AwardDanielle Deadwyler[12]
Middleburg Film FestivalOctober 20, 2024Breakthrough Actor Award[13]
Newport Beach Film FestivalOctober 20, 2024Outstanding Performance Female[14]
Best U.S. Narrative Malcolm Washington
SCAD Savannah Film FestivalOctober 26, 2024Inaugural Ensemble AwardThe cast of The Piano Lesson[15]
Montclair Film FestivalOctober 27, 2024Performance AwardJohn David Washington[16]
Breakthrough Director AwardMalcolm Washington
Chicago International Film FestivalOctober 27, 2024Breakthrough Award[17]
Spotlight AwardJohn David Washington
Denver Film FestivalNovember 1, 2024Excellence in Writing AwardMalcolm Washington and Virgil Williams[18]
Elles Women in Hollywood CelebrationNovember 19, 2024The WitnessDanielle Deadwyler[19]
Gotham AwardsDecember 2, 2024Ensemble TributeThe cast of The Piano Lesson[20]
Outstanding Supporting PerformanceDanielle Deadwyler[21]
Astra Film AwardsDecember 8, 2024Best First FeatureMalcolm Washington [22]
Best Supporting ActressDanielle Deadwyler
Celebration of Cinema and TelevisionDecember 9, 2024Actor Award – FilmJohn David Washington[23]
SFFILM AwardsDecember 9, 2024George Gund III Award for VirtuosityMalcolm Washington[24]
Palm Springs International Film FestivalJanuary 3, 2025Directors to Watch[25]
AARP Movies for Grownups AwardsJanuary 11, 2025Best Intergenerational MovieThe Piano Lesson[26]
African-American Film Critics AssociationFebruary 19, 2025Emerging Director AwardMalcolm Washington[27]
Breakout Performance AwardRay Fisher
Film Independent Spirit AwardsFebruary 22, 2025Best First FeatureTodd Black, Denzel Washington, Malcolm Washington[28]
Danielle Deadwyler

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grobar . Matt . Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler & More Set For Netflix's The Piano Lesson; Denzel Washington, Todd Black Producing . . April 13, 2023 . April 13, 2023 . May 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230520001158/https://deadline.com/2023/04/samuel-l-jackson-john-david-washington-the-piano-lesson-netflix-movie-1235324261/ . live .
  2. Web site: Ray Fisher Joins Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington in Cast of Broadway's 'The Piano Lesson'. The Hollywood Reporter. White. Abbey. 2022-04-27. 2022-05-12. 2022-05-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20220524193753/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/ray-fisher-trai-byers-michael-potts-april-matthis-the-piano-lesson-broadway-1235136312/.
  3. Web site: Grobar . Matt . The Piano Lesson: Erykah Badu Latest To Board Netflix's August Wilson Adaptation . . 30 May 2023 . May 30, 2023 . 30 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230530163817/https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-piano-lesson-film-adds-erykah-badu-to-cast-1235382629/ . live .
  4. Web site: Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' Adds Gail Bean, Jerrika Hinton, Stephan James & Others. Grobar. Matt. Deadline Hollywood. June 1, 2023. June 1, 2023. March 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240326051200/https://deadline.com/2023/06/the-piano-lesson-movie-adds-gail-bean-stephan-james-jerrika-hinton-1235398190/. live.
  5. Web site: Carey . Adam . Rain delays filming of 'The Piano Lesson' in the Between the Rivers District . . April 16, 2023 . April 14, 2023 . May 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516093230/https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/rain-delays-filming-of-the-piano-lesson-in-the-between-the-rivers-district/article_4d9dfb14-dadb-11ed-b1be-5356d038164a.html . live .
  6. Web site: Axelrod . Joshua . Netflix's The Piano Lesson adaptation breaks cycle by not filming in Pittsburgh . . April 16, 2023 . April 13, 2023 . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420204752/https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2023/04/13/netflix-the-piano-lesson-movie-august-wilson-denzel-washington-not-filming-pittsburgh/stories/202304130124 . live .
  7. Web site: Telluride Film Festival Lineup Includes 'Saturday Night', 'The Piano Lesson', 'Conclave' & 'Nickel Boys' World Premieres. Deadline Hollywood. Pete. Hammond. 29 August 2024. 29 August 2024. 29 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240829150953/https://deadline.com/2024/08/telluride-film-festival-2024-lineup-1236071936/. live.
  8. Web site: Toronto film festival adds Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Edward Burns, David Mackenzie titles. Kay. Jeremy. Screen Daily. 2024-07-22. 2024-07-22. 2024-08-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20240802195502/https://www.screendaily.com/news/toronto-adds-angelina-jolie-mike-leigh-edward-burns-david-mackenzie-titles/5195622.article. live.
  9. netflix . Netflix . Netflix. 1825910664876957995 . The Piano Lesson directed by Malcolm Washington. Trailer tomorrow. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skyler Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins..
  10. Web site: Asatryan. Tigran. 'The Piano Lesson' Netflix Movie: Release Date & Everything We Know So Far. What's on Netflix. August 20, 2024. August 21, 2024.
  11. Web site: McCracken . Kristin . 2024-08-28 . HIFF 2024: Conversations + Honorees . 2024-09-26 . Hamptons International Film Festival . en-US.
  12. Web site: 'The Piano Lesson' Star Danielle Deadwyler to Receive Mill Valley Film Fest Award (EXCLUSIVE). Angelique. Jackson. September 24, 2024.
  13. News: Feinberg . Scott . Middleburg Film Fest: 'Blitz' to Open, 'Nickel Boys' to Close, 'Sing Sing' Stars Among Honorees . September 26, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . September 26, 2024.
  14. Web site: ‘The Piano Lesson’ and ‘The Last Journey’ Land Top Audience Prizes at Newport Beach Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE). Katcy. Stephan. October 31, 2024.
  15. Web site: ‘The Piano Lesson’ Cast to Receive Inaugural Ensemble Award at SCAD Savannah Film Festival). Jazz. Tangcay. September 27, 2024.
  16. Web site: The Montclair Film Festival Announces 2024 Opening, Closing, Centerpiece, Honors, & Creator Spotlight. 2024-09-20 . Montclair Film. en-US.
  17. Web site: Roche . Barbara . 2024-09-24 . 60th Chicago International Film Festival full lineup and schedule . 2024-09-26 . Reel Chicago News . en-US.
  18. News: Jones. Marcus. Joan Chen, ‘Saturday Night’ Stars, and More Join Lineup of Denver Film Festival 2024 Award Winners. October 18, 2024 . IndieWire. October 17, 2024.
  19. Women in Hollywood . . 14 November 2024.
    Ukiomogbe. Juliana. History Is Speaking Through Danielle Deadwyler. Elle . 14 November 2024 . 14 November 2024.
  20. News: Feinberg . Scott . Gotham Awards: The Piano Lesson Cast Set for Ensemble Tribute (Exclusive) . September 19, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . September 18, 2024.
  21. Web site: Goldsmith. Jill. 2024-10-29. Gotham Awards Nominations: 'Anora' Leads Pack, 'Challengers' & 'Nickel Boys' Among Group Up For Best Feature. 2024-10-29. Deadline.
  22. Web site: Pond. Steve. 2024-11-25. ‘Wicked’ Leads Nominations for Astra Film Awards. 2024-11-25. TheWrap.com.
  23. Web site: The Critics Choice Association Announces Full Slate of Honorees for the 7th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television – Critics Choice Awards . November 7, 2024 . 2024-11-10 . en-US.
  24. Web site: 2024-11-14 . SFFILM Awards Night to Honor Denis Villeneuve, Demi Moore, Malcolm Washington, and Jason Reitman . 2024-11-17 . SFFILM . en-US.
  25. Web site: Gilchrist . Todd . 2024-11-19 . ‘The Substance,’ ‘The Piano Lesson,’ ‘Babygirl’ Filmmakers Selected for Variety’s 2025 Directors to Watch . 2024-11-23 . Variety . en-US.
  26. Lewis. Hilary. Movies for Grownups Awards: 'Conclave' Leads With 6 Nominations. The Hollywood Reporter. 20 November 2024. 20 November 2024.
  27. Web site: 2024-11-27 . AwardsWatch - African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Honorees: ‘Nickel Boys,’ ‘The Piano Lesson’ Filmmakers and Casts and More . 2024-11-30 . AwardsWatch . en-US.
  28. Web site: D'Alessandro. Alex. 2024-12-04. Film Independent Spirit Awards 40th Edition Best Feature Nominees Include ‘Anora’, ‘I Saw The TV Glow’, ‘Nickel Boys’, ‘Sing Sing’ & ‘The Substance’. 2024-12-04. Deadline.

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