I highly recommend everyone go see the film adaptation of August Wilson’s play “FENCES”. Starring and directed by Denzel Washington, the film chronicles the complexities of an African American patriarch, frustrated by broken dreams and minimal opportunities in the backdrop of 1957 Pittsburgh.
Wilson won both a Pulitzer Prize as well as a Tony award for the play. Denzel and Viola, who plays his wife, have been nominated for best actor and actress in every category named to date. The writing, story and acting alone are noteworthy enough to take the time (and money) and visit a theater.
However, see the movie for two other important and specific reasons.
Stories detailing the African American experience in the United States must be told, especially when written and directed by African Americans. Other races and cultures consistently tell their stories, both to romanticize the past as well as give historical context to it. African American historical stories generally lack the romanticism, unless they are talking about the Bumpy Johnson’s of the underworld.
Let’s be honest, the African American experience of the past is “heavy” generally involving stories of slavery, atrocities, oppression and economic struggle. The “great depression” lasted approximately 10 years in America (1929-1939), for a majority of African Americans the great depression lasted for over 300 years. Yet, these stories need to be told and just as importantly they need to be watched.
Our present generation, and not just African Americans and POC (People Of Color), but all people need to see these types of movies to learn more historically about the challenges of the African American experience in the United States. It isn’t necessarily always easy or fun to watch, but it is a important part of the United States history overall, to understand the struggles and challenges that such a large segment of its population has faced for so many years.
Films like FENCES also provides a bit of perspective. It is easy to criticize the actions or inactions of those older than us. It is easy to label them as out of touch. But you cannot gain true understanding or empathy for someone without some historical context and perspective to their lives. It is not just enough to try and walk a mile in their shoes, but instead to travel back in time and try to really see… really feel what it was like to be African American at various times throughout history.
That journey may sadden you. It may anger you… but if you keep a open mind it will give you better perspective to how difficult People of Color have had it throughout time in the United States as well as a better understanding of both how far we have come as well as how much more room for improvement we still have in front of us.
The second reason to go see FENCES is that we must support movies written and directed by POC. Of course the product should be good, but with Denzel directing and starring along with Viola Davis for a story that was so previously critically acclaimed, can there be any doubt as to the quality. Yet, we all know Hollywood only really respects money, and for these continued high quality stories to be told and made by Hollywood, they need to make money. Support and in the process enjoy while even learning.
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