As we usher in one other Thanksgiving, we nonetheless have many issues to be glad about, like our households and cherished heirlooms representing our individuals and tradition. This sentiment is on the coronary heart of The Piano Lesson, now streaming on Netflix.
The Malcolm Washington-helmed drama brings certainly one of playwright August Wilson’s strongest items to life: Two siblings disagree over what ought to occur to a piano handed down via their household generations. Berniece, who believes the instrument holds the souls of previous generations, needs the piano to remain in her residence despite the fact that she hasn’t performed a notice since childhood. Her brother, Boy Willie, needs to promote it and use the cash to buy the land the place his ancestors had been as soon as enslaved. The piano symbolizes freedom to them each, however in vastly other ways.
EBONY spoke to the movie’s director and some solid members to find out about their household heirlooms, each tangible and in spirit.
“My mother has all of the artifacts. She retains ’em stashed away. So, for me, it could be household picture albums. These are the issues that resonate with me and others,” mentioned Ray Fisher, who performs Lymon. “The piano within the movie, in some ways, is its circle of relatives picture album, a dwelling historical past.”
John David Washington, who performs Boy Wilie, revealed he wears his uncle’s chain. “He’s one of many best males I’ve ever identified. I consider the sense of group, just like the cookouts and gatherings, the flicks, which we like to do, and the meals. The significance of that’s handed down. A number of the finest, funniest tales got here from the fish fries in North Carolina, the gatherings the place my uncles would come and so they’d get together,” he shared.
Danielle Deadwyler, who performs Berniece, added, “On the finish of the day, the heirloom, no matter it could be, holds reminiscence; the thing is imbued with the story, and that’s what we’re all keen on.”
Malcolm Washington shared, “Simply the thought and follow of tales being handed down and all that comes with it: all of the characters that make up your loved ones tree and their legends. It’s essential to inform these tales, to talk their names, to talk their humanity and id and to know that all of them dwell inside you. And to go that all the way down to the following era and add your title to the record.”
Take a second to cherish your loved ones heirlooms this vacation.