The topic of race in America is a challenging one to discuss nowadays. On the one hand, you have various groups of non-white people who are exhausted trying to explain how racism runs rampant. Then, on the other hand, you have white people who are either racist, unable to discuss race because it’s uncomfortable, or both. That disconnect drives the humor and heart of the new film, “American Fiction.”
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As seen in the trailer, “American Fiction” follows the story of a Black author who is sick of a society who only wants and expects “Black” stories. So, as a way of rebellion, he decides to include all of the ugly stereotypes that white people believe about Black people in one book. Much to his chagrin, the book is a massive hit, and he has to reckon with the idea that his work is fundamentally misunderstood but also the biggest moment of his career.
The film stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown. “American Fiction” is written and directed by Cord Jefferson. The filmmaker is probably best known for his work as a writer on some amazing series such as “Station Eleven,” “Watchmen,” and “Master of None.” So, it’s pretty great to see him break out with such a critically acclaimed feature debut.
“American Fiction” is now playing in select theaters. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson’s hilarious directorial debut, which 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.
