As we usher in another Thanksgiving, we still have many things to be thankful for, like our families and cherished heirlooms representing our people and culture. This sentiment is at the heart of The Piano Lesson, now streaming on Netflix.
The Malcolm Washington-helmed drama brings one of playwright August Wilson’s most powerful pieces to life: Two siblings disagree over what should happen to a piano passed down through their family generations. Berniece, who believes the instrument holds the souls of past generations, wants the piano to stay in her home even though she hasn’t played a note since childhood. Her brother, Boy Willie, wants to sell it and use the money to purchase the land where his ancestors were once enslaved. The piano symbolizes freedom to them both, but in vastly different ways.
EBONY spoke to the film’s director and a few cast members to learn about their family heirlooms, both tangible and in spirit.
“My mom has all the artifacts. She keeps ’em stashed away. So, for me, it would be family photo albums. Those are the things that resonate with me and others,” said Ray Fisher, who plays Lymon. “The piano in the film, in many ways, is its own family photo album, a living history.”
John David Washington, who plays Boy Wilie, revealed he wears his uncle’s chain. “He’s one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. I think of the sense of community, like the cookouts and gatherings, the movies, which we love to do, and the food. The importance of that is passed down. Some of the best, funniest stories came from the fish fries in North Carolina, the gatherings where my uncles would come and they’d party,” he shared.
Danielle Deadwyler, who plays Berniece, added, “At the end of the day, the heirloom, whatever it may be, holds memory; the object is imbued with the story, and that’s what we’re all interested in.”
Malcolm Washington shared, “Just the idea and practice of stories being passed down and all that comes with it: all the characters that make up your family tree and their legends. It’s important to tell those stories, to speak their names, to speak their humanity and identity and to know that they all live within you. And to pass that down to the next generation and add your name to the list.”
Take a moment to cherish your family heirlooms this holiday.
