It was the second in wilsons series of plays depicting african american life in the 20th century and is set in 1957. In pittsburgh, fences and august wilsons hill district. Jan 05, 2017 what fences misses about adapting plays for the screen. Washingtons fences feels static and claustrophobic in the way filmed plays sometimes can, and it requires a high level of commitment from its audience, both in terms. Fences is a film directed by denzel washington with denzel washington, viola davis, stephen henderson, jovan adepo, year. The sixth in playwright august wilsons pittsburgh cycle, fences was revived in 2010 starring the same faces in the film, denzel washington and viola davis. Dec 21, 2016 when viola davis and denzel washington set the internet ablaze with the trailer release of the highlyanticipated film fences, we knew we were in for a ride. He nags at cory to help him mend a fence, and broods that some fences keep people in and others out. Fences is directed by denzel washington from a screenplay by august wilson, adapted from wilsons pulitzer prizewinning play. Dec 25, 2016 what happens if the writer simply copies word by word from one platform to the next, you get fences. Charlotte bruus christensen fences british cinematographer. Fences is a poignant commentary on the meaning of life. Nov 22, 2016 fences is as faithful, impeccably acted and honestly felt a film adaptation of august wilsons celebrated play as the late author could have possibly wished for.
The backdrop in the film includes smokestacks and the top of the gulf tower in the distance. Speaking about his role in the remake of the 1983 play by american playwright august wilson during a press conference call, washington explained that fences was filmed in the same pittsburgh neighborhood where wilson was from, and he became well acquainted with those living in the neighborhood who watched the filming from their homes. Denzel washingtons adaptation of the august wilson play fences. Like a long filmed play, fences at least relies on some outstanding performances that compensate for the films lack of visual inventiveness. Jun 14, 2016 oscarwinning movie star denzel washington won a tony award for his broadway role in the august wilson play, fences, set in the playwrights native hill district in 1957. Fences, play in two acts by august wilson, performed in 1985 and published in 1986. Fences is originally a pulitzer prize winning play. The maxson householdwhere troy must build his fence was a. The play, which was released in 1983, centered around a black family in. Wilson, after all, was at the peak of his theater popularity. Fences is as faithful, impeccably acted and honestly felt a film adaptation of august wilsons celebrated play as the late author could have possibly wished for. Fences is, since it debuted in the early 80s, a symbol of how live theater can still inspire. Dec 01, 2017 a mazon prime recently made available denzel washingtons fences 2016 and i viewed it.
In addition to washington, the film also stars viola davis, stephen mckinley henderson, jovan adepo, russell hornsby, mykelti williamson and saniyya sidney. Dec 23, 2016 fences is a film about how our environment shapes us, and how, no matter how noble their intentions, our parents cant help but mess us up in some fashion, just as their parents had done for them. I did not know any of this going in, and i shouldnt have to. The museum is free, and open to the public from midmay to midoctober. Today i saw the very emotional episode frogman returns and now i. Denzel washington welcomes local actors, crew to fences. Rabbitproof fence was warmly received by both audiences and critics upon its release in 2002. Act one is comprised of four scenes and act two has five. When ever i open the television and picket fences is coming, i get a satisfactioned smile on my face and i crawl into sofa to enjoy. In filming, it was important to denzel washington that the scenes be shot in the same neighborhood for which they were written. Sep 27, 2016 watch the new official teaser trailer for fences, starring denzel washington and viola davis. Washington expands the action to include scenes both inside the house and abroad in a.
Denzel washingtons oscardestined drama, fences, based on the tony award and pulitzer prizewinning 1987 play by august wilson, is the story of troy maxson, a 53yearold black man in. Viewers may or may not have questions about some of the interpretation, but we come out moved all the same. Dec 15, 2016 fences does not come across as a filmed play as much as a permanent cinematic document of a great work to which attention must be paid. Fences is a film which alongside moonlight, hidden figures and perhaps birth of a nation will help ensure that doesnt happen this time round.
How about if the drama ranged further afield, with new scenes at troys. But theres a hothouse atmosphere to this domestic drama that works well on screen, even if the symbolic power of the fence itself which troy is building in his backyard must have had. On one hand, the film is a masterwork, a labor of love adapted from the late, great august wilsons awardwinning 1983 play. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events.
Fences trailer 1 2016 denzel washington, viola davis drama movie hd official trailer. Troy and bono go to troys house for their weekly ritual of drinking and talking. The south dakota film museum, highlighting over 50 movies that were produced in the state, is located just inside the headquarters building of the dances with wolves film set. Dec 15, 2016 washington filmed fences as a play rather than a movie the production is mostly limited to the maxsons home and yard, where troy is forever building a literal as well as metaphorical fence. Movie homes quiz test your movie knowledge global film locations. Fences is a 2016 american period drama film starring, produced and directed by denzel washington and written by august wilson, based on his pulitzer. In fact, fences is one of nine plays written in wilsons pittsburgh cycle that was set in the hill district. The play begins on a friday, troy and bonos payday. Washington has opened it up a bit, but most of the action.
Fences is a movie with a somewhat contradictory dichotomy at its core. Picket fences is an american family drama television series about the residents of the town of rome, wisconsin, created and produced by david e. Bono and troy met in jail, where troy learned to play baseball. The film version of august wilsons fences is flawed but presents a.
Even as it properly foregrounds wilsons dialogue few playwrights have approached his genius for turning workaday vernacular into poetry fences is much more than a filmed reading. Feb 21, 2017 the spot was filmed in mexico for six days around the puebla area, according to preston lee, executive producer and owner of the l. A man who carries the burden of generations of hardship, who couldnt fulfill his own greatest dreams because of the oppressive context. Movie magic transforms pittsburgh neighborhood for fences.
Find out when and where you can watch fences on tv with the full listings schedule at. Jan 24, 2017 fences, filmed in pittsburgh and based on a play by the late august wilson, was nominated tuesday for several academy awards, including best picture. Matt leblanc confirms friends reunion has now been filmed. Bono is the only character in fences who remembers, firsthand, troys glory days of hitting homeruns in the negro leagues. Watch the new official teaser trailer for fences, starring denzel washington and viola davis. Characters have so much dialogue that it is hard to keep up with the story. Denzel washington and viola davis in fences denzel washington directs and stars in a towering screen version of august wilsons play about a flawed innercity patriarch. It is also the way you work with celluloid onset, and the focus it gives to the entire cast, crew and production team during filming, that i really value too. Denzel washingtons production of fences wraps filming in. The film version of august wilsons fences is flawed but presents a more authentic narrative than black lives matter does. Vintage cars are among the sure signs of moviemaking in the hill district.
Based on august wilsons play and screenplay of the same name, the film also features director washington in the leading male role of troy maxson, a 53yearold pittsburgh garbageman. Fences despite great performances and vivid language, this adaptation of the timeless play still feels like a filmed production. Set in 1950s pittsburgh, the film takes a passionate look at former negroleague baseball player troy maxson washington as he fights to provide for those he loves in a world that threatens to. But a pilgrimage to playwright august wilsons hometown, pittsburgh, might offer. Picket fences is an american television drama about the residents of the town of rome, wisconsin, created and produced by david e. The maxson householdwhere troy must build his fencewas a private residence at 809 anaheim street. Washington has wisely resisted the temptation to force a lot of unnecessary cinema on the play. Viola davis reveals denzel washingtons advice to her before. In directing fences, denzel washington took on a daunting challenge. The film stars denzel washington, viola davis and jovan adepo.
Feb 27, 2017 pittsburgh ap fans of fences may be disappointed that the film won just one of its four oscar nominations. The show initially ran from september 18, 1992, to june 26, 1996, on the cbs television network in the united states. Still, its hard to complain about a filmed play when the text and performers are this masterful. Fences is a powerful piece of work, and washington channels that power mostly effectively. An african american father struggles with race relations in the united states while trying to raise his family in the 1950s and coming to terms with the events of his life. Steuben st at wabash st, pittsburgh, pa, united states granville hotel. Fences teaser trailer 2016 paramount pictures youtube. Principal photography on the film began on april 25, 2016, in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, in the hill district, and wrapped in midjune 2016. Visit pittsburgh as it was portrayed in fences travel. What fences misses about adapting plays for the screen. Fences is a deeply affecting treatise on marriage, poverty and the struggles of sons to confront the long shadow of the man who brought them into this world. Dec 20, 2016 the crew and cast that worked on the locally filmed movie fences got a chance to screen the finished product right here in pittsburgh on tuesday night.
Fences is a 2016 american period drama film starring, produced and directed by denzel washington and written by august wilson, based on his pulitzer prizewinning play of the same name. Jamieson fence supply can ship products anywhere in the u. Denzel washington s fences wraps filming in hill district cbs pittsburgh oscarwinning movie star denzel washington won a tony award for his broadway role in the august wilson play, fences, set in the playwrights native hill district in 1957. Denzel washington says he was covered in prayer while filming. Denzel washingtons production of fences wraps filming in the hill district. Like a long filmed play, fences at least relies on some outstanding performances that compensate for the film s lack of visual inventiveness. One thought on fences 2016 film locations pingback. Majority of super bowl li commercials were shot in l.
235 584 540 783 1379 613 1618 500 1186 901 1151 1360 1198 750 729 1059 1288 536 1455 1328 547 1583 1339 379 257 152 488 1269 493 1275