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By Any Measure

By Any Measure

No art unconsidered

Screenwriter and Director Cord Jefferson discusses his critically acclaimed film, “American Fiction”

February 8, 2024 by Josephine Reed Leave a Comment

We catch up with director/writer Cord Jefferson whose film ”American Fiction”   has been nominated for five academy awards (Best Picture, Best adapted screenplay  (Jefferson), best actor (Jeffrey Wright), best supporting actor (Sterling K. Brown and best score (Laura Karpman). Not bad for the first-time director—albeit one with a rich resume as a Emmy Award winning television writer (think: “The Good Place” and “Watchmen.”) Jefferson talks about adapting Percival Everett’s novel “Erasure,”  reflecting on the novel’s exploration of stereotypes and limitations placed on Black artists, his own personal experiences  which drew him to the project and influenced the adaptation. Jefferson opens up about the difficulty of finding backing for the film, particularly as a first-time director, and the joy of putting together an extraordinary ensemble cast led by Jeffrey Wright— a task made easier by the depth and richness of the characters they were called upon to play. Jefferson discusses his aim to create a film that balances satire without veering into farce, ensuring the story remained grounded and the importance of family themes within the film is highlighted, with Jefferson discussing his decision to keep these elements against suggestions to cut them as a way to enrich the narrative and ground the satire. Jefferson reflects on the success of “American Fiction,” the brilliance of the cast,  and his interest in continuing to make films, appreciating the collaborative and creative process of film production. Through Jefferson’s insights, listeners gain an understanding of the complexities involved in adapting a novel to film, the importance of nuanced storytelling, and the power of representation in film. 

For a transcript, click here

Filed Under: African American, Film

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About Sunil and Josephine

Sunil Iyengar directs the Office of Research & Analysis at the National Endowment for the Arts. Under his leadership, the office has produced dozens of research reports, hosted periodic research events and webinars, led strategic plan development for the agency, and established research and … [more] about About Sunil and Josephine

By Any Measure

Aesthetics meets analysis in a monthly series of podcasts and blog posts from the National Endowment for the Arts.  Once upon a time, writers and artists were skeptical—if not morbid—about the application of science to questions of natural beauty, aesthetics, and arts and culture. Think of … [more] about By Any Measure

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