Denzel Washington and Wife Pauletta Support Sons John David and Malcolm at The Piano Lesson Premiere

Denzel Washington took a promotional break Gladiator II to support his family.

The Oscar winner, 69, was joined by his wife Pauletta Washington and three of their four children – Katia Washington, John David Washington and Malcolm Washington – at the premiere of the Netflix film Piano lesson at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, November 19.

Both of Denzel’s sons star in the musical drama that follows the Charles family as they make difficult decisions to determine the fate of their inherited grand piano engraved with the faces of their ancestors.

Denzel Washington, Katia Washington, Pauletta Washington, John David Washington and Malcolm Washington attend the premiere of Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson” at The Egyptian Theater Hollywood on November 19, 2024.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

John David (40) takes on the lead role of Boy Willie, while Malcolm (33) makes his directorial debut with the film. Denzel is a co-producer of the film, which is an adaptation of August Wilson’s play of the same name.

Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington leap from stage to screen in Gripping Piano lesson Trailer

In an interview with Deadline published on Monday, November 18, Malcolm said that his decision to direct the project was inspired by his late grandfather.

“A big part [The Piano Lesson] he was based on my grandfather,” he told the newspaper, referring to Pauletta’s father, who “passed away when I was 8 years old. But as you can imagine, he had a big influence on my mum.”

Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece, John David Washington as Boy Willie, Ray Fisher as Lymon and Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker Charles in The Piano Lesson.

David Lee/Netflix

Malcolm also co-wrote the film with Oscar-nominated writer Virgil Williams.

Pauletta “always told me about [her father] and how I reminded her of him and that his qualities live in me. When I think about what I want to be as a man, I think about him even though we only shared the first eight years of our life together,” Malcolm told Deadline.

Malcolm Washington on the ‘personal’ experience of creation Piano lesson with dad Denzel and his siblings (exclusive)

“In this way, he guides me,” Malcolm said of his grandfather.

In September, Denzel spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10, where he gushed about the work both of his sons do.

“I’m proud to be a part of August Wilson in some small way,” the veteran actor who starred in and directed the 2016 film adaptation of Wilson’s film. Fences opposite Viola Davis, he began.

John David Washington, Katia Washington, Pauletta Washington, Malcolm Washington and Denzel Washington attend the premiere of “The Piano Lesson” during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Monica Schipper/Getty

He continued about his son Malcolm: “I’m happy that people will get a chance to see what kind of director Malcolm is. I’m excited about our future together with August Wilson.”

In addition to John David, the cast also includes Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, Erykah Badu, Gail Bean and Corey Hawkins.

“A battle rages in the Charles household,” begins the film’s synopsis. “At the center is a prized heirloom piano that separates two siblings. On the one hand, the brother (John David) plans to build the family fortune by selling it.”

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“On the other hand, the sister (Deadwyler) will go to any lengths to keep the only trace of the family legacy. Their uncle (Jackson) tries to mediate, but even he can’t keep the ghosts of the past at bay,” the synopsis adds.

Piano lesson is in theaters now and airs on Netflix on Friday, November 22nd. Gladiator II also opens in theaters on Friday.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education