Cord Jefferson is interviewed for American Fiction, Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut featuring Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown.

0:00: 🎥 Cord Jefferson's serendipitous journey in adapting a novel into a screenplay after a professional setback. Jefferson found creative inspiration in a novel that resonated with his own life.
0:41: After a major professional failure, he felt adrift until discovering the novel.
1:20: The protagonist's life in the novel mirrored Jefferson's own experiences.
1:32: Within a short time, Jefferson decided to adapt the novel into a screenplay and potentially direct it.
1:52: Jefferson views the journey as serendipitous, despite not typically speaking in spiritual terms.
2:24: ⭐ Cord Jefferson's journey in adapting a novel into a film, gaining trust and approval from the author.
2:24: Cord Jefferson feared rejection from the author initially.
3:02: The author gave Jefferson the rights to adapt the book for free for six months.
3:11: Jefferson and the author became good friends during the process.
3:21: The author trusted Jefferson due to his understanding of the book's spirit.
3:44: The author approved Jefferson's script after reading it.
3:54: ⚖️ Cord Jefferson discusses the importance of including a specific scene in the film to avoid policing blackness and respectability politics. Cord Jefferson's friend supported the film without creative input.
4:04: Creative license was taken in adapting the book to the film.
4:41: The scene of Centara and Monk meeting was not in the book but crucial for the film.
5:14: The scene was important to avoid policing blackness and respectability politics.
5:28: Centara was portrayed as thoughtful and not a villain in the film.
5:46: Both characters made valid points in the scene, leaving room for interpretation.
5:55: 🎬 Exploring the impact of a pivotal scene in a film on both characters and audience perception.
5:55: Monk underestimates Centara, leading to a shift in audience perspective.
6:28: The story is told through a judgmental protagonist with a nonjudgmental outlook.
7:14: The scene challenges preconceived notions and offers unexpected depth.
7:55: 🎬 Exploration of the depth and complexity in the scene rehearsal of a film. Actors Keith David and Okieriete Onaodowan bring depth to the scene.
8:02: Initial expectation of silliness in the scene shifted to a more serious tone.
8:16: Realization that the actors' performance can elevate the material.
8:39: Monk's writing reflects personal struggles and emotions.
9:09: Layers of depth in Monk's work beyond initial perception.


Stefan Pape asks the questions.

Plot: The movie confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.

American Fiction will be released on the 2nd of February, 2024.

#AmericanFiction #JeffreyWright #CordJefferson
---------------------
For syndication or usage opportunities please contact [email protected].
---------------------
More from HeyUGuys:
Website ► http://HeyUGuys.com
Follow us on Twitter ►   / heyuguys  
Subscribe here! ► http://bit.ly/HeyUGuysYTSub
Facebook ►   / heyuguys  
Instagram ►   / heyuguysofficial  
TikTok ►   / heyuguysofficial  
---------------------