Malcolm Washington Brings August Wilson’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ to the Big Screen

John David Washington and Skylar Smith star in “The Piano Lesson.” (Netflix) How much does your family legacy mean to you? Should it be sold or kept as a reminder of your ancestors’ journey and your family’s potential? The heirloom at the center of these questions is a cherished piano. The Piano Lesson premiered at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 16. It will be available on Netflix starting Nov. 22. Produced by Denzel Washington, the film marks the directorial debut of his son, Malcolm Washington. It stars another son, John David Washington. Chicago native Virgil Williams wrote the screenplay, and a Q&A panel discussion featured director and actor Ron O.J. Parsons, who has connections to August Wilson. Adapted from August Wilson’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the story unfolds in the Charles household, where sibling conflict arises over the piano’s fate. One brother (John David Washington) wants to sell it to build wealth, while his sister (Danielle Deadwyler) fights to preserve it as a symbol of their heritage. Their uncle (Samuel L. Jackson) attempts to mediate but struggles with the ghosts of the past. This powerful film explores intergenerational themes of identity, resilience and legacy. It features an...