Malcolm Washington is all set to make his directorial debut with Netflix’s film adaptation of the hit Broadway play The Piano Lesson. During the film’s premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, Malcolm spoke about the incredible bond between his parents, Denzel and Pauletta Washington, that has sustained their 40-year marriage.
He told PEOPLE, “I don’t know, they love each other, but I don’t know what the secret is.” He smiled and added, “I’m trying to find out.” The proud parents were present for the screening at TIFF to support their son and posed for cameras on the red carpet.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Pauletta said the biggest “secret” to their happy and long marriage is that there are no secrets. “We work at it. It’s work,” she said. “It takes a lot of prayer to stay in a forgiving mood and for strength on both sides, me and him. … But it’s the basic love we have for each other,” she said.
At the premiere, Malcolm dedicated the film, which also stars his brother John David Washington, to his mother, quoting legendary actor Colman Domingo. “He says, ‘Where would we be without our mother’s dreams?'” Malcolm said.
While working on the film, the first-time director had his mother’s story on his mind, and that made him realize the project is “bigger” than him and his relationship with his mother. “This is for everybody’s mother, whether you’re a son, a daughter, a mother, a father — whatever the dynamic is,” he said, acknowledging the ancestors and “long line of people” who sacrificed and struggled to be where he stands today. “And I think it’s important to honor that.”
The Piano Lesson is an adaptation of August Wilson’s play of the same name. It features a star-studded cast – Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skyler Elise Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean and Corey Hawkins.
The story revolves around a black family in the 20s after the Great Depression. A rift develops within the family over a priceless family heirloom, a piano. Some are in favor of selling it for financial independence, while others want to preserve the family legacy. According to the official synopsis, it deals with “family legacy” and other themes.
The Piano Lesson will release in select theaters on November 8 and stream on Netflix from November 22.
