Interview:
Cord Jefferon,
writer/director,
"American Fiction"
Representing the directorial debut of Emmy Award-winning writer Cord Jefferson, American Fiction finds frustrated author and professor Thelonious "Monk" Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) compromising himself artistically in order to reap the financial benefits of writing a crass best-seller. Writing under an assumed name, and passing himself off as a felon, Monk pens a book that not only blatantly exploits Black trauma but goes against his values and beliefs as a Black man, a highly regarded writer, and an inflexible academic. As the book gains in popularity, Monk struggles to find the balance between maintaining his literary alter ego while dealing with personal tragedy. American Fiction also stars Tracee Ellis Ross as Monk's highly responsible sister Lisa, Sterling K. Brown as Monk's wayward brother Clifford, Leslie Uggams as Monk's ailing mother Agnes, John Ortiz as Monk's harried agent Arthur, and Issa Rae as rvial author Sintara Golden. American Fiction, which premiered locally during this year's Austin Film Festival, opened Dec. 15 in Austin. Former journalist Cord Jefferson worked on such TV shows as Master of None, The Good Place, and Succession before winning an Emmy for writing the 2019 Watchman episode "This Extraordinary Being." American Fiction is nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for Cord Jefferson. Aired: Jan. 24, 2024. Web sites: https://www.mgm.com/movies/american-fiction https://www.mgm.com/titles/american-fiction/ |
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