EXCLUSIVE: The 60th Chicago Worldwide Movie Pageant has named the Netflix movie The Piano Lesson as its opener, and the fest award first time director and co-writer Malcolm Washington its Breakthrough Award. The movie’s star, John David Washington, will probably be offered the Highlight Award “in recognition of the emotional complexity and energy he brings to his transfixing efficiency as Boy Willie.”
The pageant opening festivities happen October 16. The Netflix adaptation of the August Wilson play is a Washington household affair. Other than siblings Malcolm and John David, The Piano Lesson is produced by their father, Denzel Washington, alongside his oft-collaborator Todd Black. Their sister, Katia Washington, is government producer, and mother, Pauletta Washington, performs the position of Mama Ola.
Within the well-known Wilson play, a battle brews within the Charles family. On the middle stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings aside. On one facet, a brother plans to construct the household fortune by promoting it. On the opposite, a sister will go to any lengths to carry onto the only vestige of the household’s heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, however even he can’t maintain again the ghosts of the previous. John David Washington stars alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, and Skyler Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler and Corey Hawkins.
The Chicago Worldwide Movie Pageant runs October 16 – 27.
