John David Washington, 40, has spent much of his life trying to escape the shadow of his famous surname. Literally. He initially made a living as a professional American football player, but after an injury he chose to follow in his father Denzel Washington’s footsteps and pursue acting. Since then, he has immersed himself in a wide variety of projects: from series to films (he played a spy in principle in 2020), theater and now fashion, where she made her debut as the face of Bois Pacifique, Tom Ford’s latest fragrance.
In the fragrance campaign, Washington portrays a writer who returns to the big redwoods of his native California to reconnect with his roots. In real life, he recently embarked on a similar journey—not with Christopher Nolan or Spike Lee, but with his younger brother Malcolm, confronting his family legacy for the first time in his career. In his upcoming film, Piano lesson (2024), he proudly embraces the name Washington, using it to explore the deep-rooted legacy of slavery in the African-American community.
A question. You initially tried to distance yourself from your family, but your latest film was directed by your brother and produced by your father. How did your relationship with the family heirloom develop?
answer. It was important for me to establish what kind of artist I wanted out of the gate. I pushed very little inside as well Ballers (2015) [the series in which he made his acting debut] people didn’t know who my family was. I liked that they didn’t know who I was related to and just saw the character. Ideally, this is how I wanted to go about my entire career, but I knew that if I succeeded, it would be impossible to keep a secret. Still, I’m proud of all the friendships and collaborations that had nothing to do with my namesake. It was only later and after I had already established my career that I was able to consider collaborating with my family members. The film is an adaptation of August Wilson’s play. The author means a lot to our African-American culture, so I wanted to collaborate with people who are as passionate as I am about making sure it’s done right. The timing was perfect.
Q. After a decade in the industry, do you feel like a more confident performer?
A. i don’t know Every time I think I’ve figured out something about the craft, I realize, “No, you’ve learned nothing!” That’s what I love. I keep chasing so high. Every project is so different. And I love that feeling, continuing to pursue this quest. Every project is different. When I think I’ve got it all figured out, I’ll probably stop acting. Maybe if I get to the experience of actors like Nick [Nicolas] Cage, I can say I know what I’m doing, but for now I’m still learning and figuring out how to do this.
Q. You admit that you did not understand the scenario of principle. Did you figure it out later?
A. It took me several hours to read the original script. I thought I had it figured out, but as the hours went by that day, I started thinking, “What the hell did I just read?” What I realized was that there was a very interesting emotional landscape and character behind it all , which I understood and could develop with Christopher Nolan. It’s hard for me to watch my own movie, but this one is different. It’s not me in the movie, it’s just Christopher Nolan’s experience, and every time I watch it I feel like it has more emotional depth than I’m given credit for. He said, “Don’t try to figure it out. Feel it. That’s what I did, but to be honest, I don’t know anything about the movie. I knew more when I shot it than I do now.
Q. Along with big action films, you have also starred in intimate dramas. Looking forward, would you like to maintain this flexibility?
A. My God! Yes, I understand. I pray to God that I can continue the diversity in different genres. I just saw The substance and I’d love to do body horror or Jordan Peele psychological thrillers. I love sci-fi, I’ve done a few already, but I also like comedies or more intimate stories. I love it all, whether it’s a couple fighting all night [Malcolm & Marie] or a black cop pretending to be a white member of the Ku Klux Klan [BlacKkKlansman]. It’s about finding the right director and the right story, that’s how you grow as an artist.
Q. c BlackKkKkKlansman and in your latest film you deal with racial issues that some believe are a thing of the past. Why do you think it’s important to keep telling these stories?
A. Because it’s not such a distant problem. These unpleasant problems are relevant even today. Slavery is real, it happened. The Civil War happened, although some went so far as to call it the War of Northern Aggression. Jim Crow laws perpetuated the system of oppression until the 1940s. and were a continuation of slavery. I am only one generation from all these experiences. Samuel L. Jackson [who plays his uncle in the film] experienced this time.
Q. What can your generation contribute to this whole conflict?
A. There is much more to say. Perhaps this new generation of artists can come closer to understanding and bring new visions to it. Also, now that we are all connected thanks to social media, there is an opportunity to have a conversation on an international level. We can all have our say online. Whether you’re from Spain, Italy or Greece, you’ll have your point of view thanks to stories told by people like Denzel Washington or Laurence Fishburne. We watched their movies growing up, now we understand what happened and have our own opinion. The most interesting thing we can do in my generation is to include everyone in the conversation.
Q. Aside from film, what other ways do you manage to reconnect with your roots?
A. It’s usually through music. Roy Ares, Marvin Gaye, Kendrick Lamar… My parents, for example, played Anita Baker in the car, and when I listen to it now, it brings me back to all the happy times I had in my childhood. Also, some places like North Carolina, where my mother was born, help ground me to where I come from.
Q. In fact, your Instagram account is full of pictures with your mom. It almost feels like a tribute bill. What place does it occupy in your life?
A. she [Pauletta Washington] taught me what true success is, always has been. She started taking piano lessons at nine, got a master’s degree in music, participated in all kinds of competitions, and all while being a mother. People like to talk about my background and it doesn’t bother me because I’m proud of them, but whenever they do, they push her away. I like to elevate her not as a mother but as an artist. To me it represents the concept of identity. I know where I’m coming from because of the journey she’s been on with her life. Everything she and my father forged together makes me proud of my artistic heritage.
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