Denzel Washington is currently hard at work not only acting in but also directing the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway play Fences, which he appeared in back in 2010. The Hollywood Reporter have provided us with a first look at the film, which will be released this Christmas.
The original work’s writer August Wilson won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play. He also wrote the screenplay for the forthcoming Denzel Washington-helmed motion picture, which also stars Viola Davis, Mykelti Williamson, Stephen McKinley, Henderson, and Russell Hornsby, all of whom were in the 2010 Broadway revival.
Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in Wilson’s ten-part “Pittsburgh Cycle”. In Fences, a flawed African American man named Troy begins to alienate those around him: his son, whom he throws out of the house; his wife, on whom he cheats; his brother Gabe, whom he commits to a mental institution; and his friend, with whom he falls out of touch. In the end, Troy dies, but his brother forgives him and performs a dance so that Troy will get into heaven.
Fences will actually hits cinemas pretty soon – December 25th in the US – though it currently doesn’t have a UK release date.
Take a look at the first images from the film, courtesy of THR.
