Denzel Washington proudly cheered on his son Malcolm Washington at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 10, marking Malcolm’s debut as a director with the film The Piano Lesson. The acclaimed actor, who is also a producer on the project, expressed his enthusiasm for his son’s work and their shared future in the industry.
In an interview with PEOPLE on the red carpet, Denzel, 69, praised the film, an adaptation of August Wilson’s play, and expressed his pride in contributing to the project. “I’m proud to be a part of August Wilson in some small way,” he said.
Denzel also shared his excitement about Malcolm’s filmmaking career. “I’m happy that people will get a chance to see what a filmmaker Malcolm is. I’m excited about our future together with August Wilson,” he added.
The film is a family affair, with Malcolm’s older brother John David Washington, 40, starring in the film, and his sister Katia Washington, 37, serving as a producer alongside their father. Malcolm’s dedication to his mother Pauletta is highlighted with a title card that reads, “For mama,” before the closing credits.
“This movie is so personal to me, and the people I got to make it with are the closest people in my life,” Malcolm told PEOPLE at the Telluride Film Festival, where the film had its world premiere. “My mom was at the center of it.”
The drama, which also stars Samuel L. Jackson and Danielle Deadwyler, centers on a family conflict over a prized heirloom piano. The synopsis reveals the tension: “At the center stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings apart. On one side, a brother (John David) plans to build the family fortune by selling it. On the other, a sister (Deadwyler) will go to any lengths to hold onto the sole vestige of the family’s heritage. Their uncle (Jackson) tries to mediate, but even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past.”
Originally produced as a play in 1987, The Piano Lesson featured Samuel L. Jackson in the role of Boy Willie during its run at the Yale Repertory Theatre and later on Broadway. The film adaptation includes performances by Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean, and Corey Hawkins, with music composed by two-time Oscar winner Alexandre Desplat.