Denzel Washington took a brief pause from promoting Gladiator II to be with his family.
The 69-year-old Academy Award winner attended the premiere of Netflix’s The Piano Lesson at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 19, accompanied by his wife, Pauletta Washington, and three of their four children: Katia, John David, and Malcolm Washington.
Both of Denzel’s sons have key roles in the film, which revolves around the Charles family’s emotional journey as they grapple with the fate of a family heirloom piano, carved with the faces of their ancestors. John David, 40, plays the lead role of Boy Willie, while Malcolm, 33, makes his directorial debut with the adaptation of August Wilson’s play. Denzel co-produced the film.
In an interview with Deadline on Monday, Nov. 18, Malcolm shared that his late grandfather was a significant inspiration behind his decision to direct the film.
“A big part of The Piano Lesson was based on my grandfather,” he explained, referring to Pauletta’s father, who passed away when Malcolm was 8. “He was a big influence on my mom.” See more photos from the red carpet inside…
Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington
Erykah and Denzel
Erykah Badu
Danielle Deadwyler
John David Washington
Malcolm Washington
Corey Hawkins
Gail Bean
Skylar Aleece Smith
Tyler, The Creator and Malcolm Washington
Synopsis:
A battle is brewing in the Charles Household. At the center stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings apart. On one side, a brother (John David Washington) plans to build the family fortune by selling it. On the other, a sister (Danielle Deadwyler) will go to any lengths to hold onto the sole vestige of the family’s heritage. Their uncle (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to mediate, but even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past.
Adapted from August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork, THE PIANO LESSON explores the intergenerational dynamics of identity, resilience and transcendence – revealing startling truths about how we perceive the past and who gets to define our legacy. The film is directed by Malcolm Washington in his feature debut. From Oscar nominated producers Denzel Washington and Todd Black, and featuring an all-star cast including Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith with Danielle Deadwyler and Corey Hawkins. Co-written for the screen by Virgil Williams & Malcolm Washington, and featuring music scored by Alexandre Desplat.
(Photos by Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix)
