Fresh Air: Best Of – Making 'The Piano Lesson' & Selena Gomez

Release Date: November 30, 2024

Introduction

In this special edition of Fresh Air, hosted by Tonya Moseley, listeners are treated to an in-depth exploration of the Netflix adaptation of August Wilson's acclaimed play, The Piano Lesson, and an exclusive interview with Selena Gomez about her role in the new Spanish-language musical film, Emilia Perez. Additionally, film critic Justin Chang provides his insights on the highly anticipated films Gladiator 2 and the musical Wicked.

Adapting August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson

Guests: John David Washington & Malcolm Washington

At the heart of this episode is the conversation with brothers John David Washington and Malcolm Washington, who have collaborated on bringing August Wilson's The Piano Lesson to the screen for Netflix. This adaptation marks Malcolm Washington's directorial debut for a feature film and features John David reprising his role as Boy Willie from the Broadway revival.

Family Collaboration and Production

The production is a true family affair, with their father, Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington, and their sister, Katia Washington, serving as producers. Denzel, who previously starred in Wilson's Fences, is committed to adapting all 10 plays from Wilson's American Century Cycle into films, each capturing the Black American experience across different decades of the 20th century.

Key Themes and Directorial Approach

Malcolm Washington emphasizes the importance of reclaiming and honoring African American history and culture. He states, “...it's really, really, really important for people to learn their history, both ancestral and just culturally, know where you come from and acknowledge it” [07:24]. His approach to directing The Piano Lesson involved a deep dive into August Wilson's life and intentions to authentically convey the narrative through his own directorial voice.

John David Washington on Character Development

John David Washington discusses the pressure and inspiration of working alongside Samuel L. Jackson, who originally played Boy Willie and now portrays the character's uncle. He shares, “...as I gradually got into it and grew into the character, I realized how much beneficial it was for me to hear those stories and infuse that into the motivation of getting this thing as true as possible” [10:44].

Cultural Significance and Legacy

The Washington brothers reflect on the enduring relevance of Wilson's work and the responsibility of adapting these seminal texts. Malcolm Washington hopes for varied voices to continue the project, stating, “...let this whole thing be a much larger kind of project where you look back and it's this tapestry of black artists working this time, connecting to these seminal texts” [27:24].

Quotes:

• Malcolm Washington on history: “...we're living in a time where people are trying to rewrite history or erase people from history and their contributions” [07:24].
• John David Washington on working with Samuel L. Jackson: “Anything that was positive feedback from him is like, I'm taken to my grave if I ever work again. I know Sam Jackson liked the choice I made...” [10:55].

Selena Gomez on Emilia Perez

Guest: Selena Gomez

Transitioning to the realm of contemporary film, Selena Gomez joins the conversation to discuss her role in Emilia Perez, a Spanish-language musical that delves into complex themes of identity and transformation.

Role and Language Mastery

Gomez portrays Jesse Del Monte, the wife of a brutal drug cartel leader who undergoes gender affirmation surgery. To prepare for this role, Gomez dedicated nearly half a year to relearn Spanish, a language she was fluent in during her childhood but lost proficiency in as she pursued her career in the United States. She shares, “...I think that's why I try to honor my culture as much as possible... I think that's why I try to honor my culture as much as possible. From releasing an album in Spanish to, you know, wanting to pursue this movie that I thought would be an incredible challenge” [38:38].

Personal Connection and Emotional Depth

Gomez connects deeply with the film's themes of self-love and liberation. Reflecting on the song "Mi Camino," she remarks, “...I think that when I do make mistakes, I don't feel like I should or necessarily need to be punished for them. It's something that I feel like I need to grow and learn from” [43:08].

Navigating Fame and Personal Growth

Having grown up in the spotlight, Gomez discusses the challenges of maintaining personal growth amidst public scrutiny. She emphasizes the importance of her family's influence and the lessons learned from her parents, particularly her mother's artistic passion. “...she loved everything about art. And I remember sometimes she would let me watch things, but she would do the old. Cover your ears and eyes. Like, be careful” [44:22].

Collaborative Environment on Set

Gomez praises her co-stars in Only Murders in the Building, highlighting the supportive and collaborative environment fostered by legends Steve Martin and Martin Short. She notes, “...they really took me under their wing. They didn't make me feel separate because I was younger. They made me feel incredibly included” [52:00].

Quotes:

• On relearning Spanish: “I will know what you're saying if you think that I can. I just have a hard time responding sometimes to, like, form the sentence correctly” [39:55].
• On personal growth: “...I don't feel like I should or necessarily need to be punished for them. It's something that I feel like I need to grow and learn from” [43:08].
• On co-star collaboration: “...they made me feel like it was home” [48:38].

Justin Chang Reviews Gladiator 2 and Wicked

Guest: Justin Chang, Film Critic for The New Yorker

Film critic Justin Chang offers his analysis of two major film releases: Gladiator 2 and Wicked.

Review of Wicked

Chang describes Wicked as a "glossy maximalist" origin story that expands on the character of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. He critiques the film's visual effects, stating, “...much of the movie is too lumbering, too obvious and frankly, too digitally slick to cast a spell” [30:39]. Despite this, he acknowledges the compelling performances, particularly Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Elphaba.

Review of Gladiator 2

In his review of Gladiator 2, Chang highlights the film's over-the-top action sequences and Ridley Scott's relentless spectacle. He praises Denzel Washington's performance as Macrinus but criticizes the film for its lack of emotional depth compared to its predecessor. “...it's fun to watch Washington go over the top, but his scene stealing is typical of Gladiator 2 as a whole. It's a lot of flash to very little purpose” [33:18].

Quotes:

• On Wicked: “...I do wish Wicked looked better. Where Oz has winged monkeys, ancient Rome has deranged baboons” [31:12].
• On Gladiator 2: “...it rapidly loses steam. It's like watching an extended WWE SmackDown suddenly interrupted by a civics lesson” [34:04].

Conclusion

This episode of Fresh Air offers listeners a rich tapestry of contemporary arts through the lens of influential figures in film and television. From the heartfelt family collaboration behind The Piano Lesson to Selena Gomez's transformative role in Emilia Perez, and critical perspectives on major film releases, Tonya Moseley curates conversations that are both engaging and enlightening.

Note: Time stamps correspond to the provided transcript and denote the start of quoted sections.