Jeffrey Wright Stars In Upcoming Film “American Fiction” Already Creating Oscar Buzz
The official trailer for the upcoming satirical comedy-drama “American Fiction” was recently released, centering on Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious ‘Monk’ Ellison, a Black author frustrated by recent publisher rejections and bewildered by literary critics who say his novels ‘aren’t Black enough.’ Monk is disheartened by the success of other Black authors who pander to the perceptions of largely white audiences through stereotypical tropes of Black American stories and experiences. After years since his last novel was published, Monk is fed up with the literary world and its preconceptions, so he decides to write a parody novel out of spite, filled with cliches and stereotypes. The novel, written as a joke, becomes an overnight sensation in the literary world and is marketed as a true story. It is met with high praise from publishers and movie producers wishing to adapt the book for the big screen, inadvertently catapulting Monk into the spotlight and putting him in a position where he has to exploit his Blackness for white consumption, becoming just like the novelists he intended to criticize.
“American Fiction” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival back in September, where it received rave reviews and won the People’s Choice Award. Though the film has yet to hit theaters, it has already begun to generate Oscar buzz and is well on its way to becoming a contender for film of the year.
The movie, which marks the feature directorial debut of Cord Jefferson, also stars Sterling K. Brown and Tracee Ellis Ross as Monk’s siblings, with supporting roles from Leslie Uggams, Issa Rae and Adam Brody.
“American Fiction” is based on the 2001 novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett, an experimental work shaped by journal entries and academic papers written from the perspective of the fictional Monk Ellison. “Erasure” was crafted as a literary critique over the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and tropes within much of the mainstream African American literature of the time. Everett’s novel also touches on the consequences of commodifying one’s art, and selling out to the forces of a dominant market.
Over 20 years later, much of the subject matter explored in “Erasure” remains relevant now. “American Fiction” adapts Everett’s novel in lighthearted fashion, but with sober undertones that seek to emphasize the historic and persisting pigeonholing of Black creators in the arts. “American Fiction” calls attention to this reality, and ultimately aims to promote hope for an atmosphere where Black novelists and artists have the freedom to create without being tied to stereotypes or predisposition.
“American Fiction” releases to theaters this December, so in the meantime you can look into Everett’s novel “Erasure,” and keep an eye out for upcoming news about the film. Be sure to check out the trailer above for “American Fiction” if you haven’t yet.
