August Wilson's Fences movie turns spotlight on Pittsburgh (Washington, Bally: home, neighborhood)

[WRnative]

"60 Minutes" on Sunday had a segment focused on August Wilson's "Fences," and the filming of the movie by Denzel Washington in Pittsburgh's Hill District.

Denzel Washington's "fourth-quarter" mission - CBS News

Washington intends to film all 10 of Wilson's Century Cycle of plays, which were inspired by life in the Hill District. The Century Series also is known as the Pittsburgh Cycle, and Washington's effort likely will raise Wilson's prominence, and make Pittsburgh a mecca for film lovers and those interested in the African American experience.

<<Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle, also often referred to as his Century Cycle,[8] consists of ten plays—nine of which are set in Pittsburgh's Hill District (the other being set in Chicago), an African-American neighborhood that takes on a mythic literary significance like Thomas Hardy's Wessex, William Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County, or Irish playwright Brian Friel's Ballybeg. The plays are each set in a different decade and aim to sketch the Black experience in the 20th century and "raise consciousness through theater” and echo "the poetry in the everyday language of black America".[4] He was fascinated by the power of theater as a medium where a community at large could come together to bear witness to events and currents unfolding.>>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August...ttsburgh_Cycle

Certainly this mammoth cinematic undertaking by Washington should raise the prominence of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh.

I wonder if the Heinz Center will produce an August Wilson exhibit, especially given its collaborations with the Smithsonian and the opening of the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

It will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh's tourism industry also capitalizes on Wilson's increased stature.

[wpipkins2]

I saw several of the plays locally and all were very entertaining. Lots of familiar references that let you know this is a Pittsburgh centered play. The movie opens Christmas Day and I cant wait to see it. The street cars and pre Civic arena Hill District fascinates me.

[Geeo]

We were lucky enough to see a few August Wilson plays at the Public Theater and Pittsburgh Playwright's Theater and they were incredible. Wilson's use of language is genius and he lures you in until you feel the emotions of every character.

Looking forward to seeing Fences and for more productions from Denzel Washington, hopefully filmed in Pittsburgh.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by WRnative

"

It will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh's tourism industry also capitalizes on Wilson's increased stature.

I question how many locals have an interest in Mr. Wilson's plays. The initial failure of the August Wilson Center is a case in point. My wife and I have seen all the AW plays over the years. Hope Mr. Denzel is able to pull it off. Not all plays translate well onto the silver screen.

[PghYinzer]

Although I don't think there will be much of a change in tourism due to this, I really hope it brings even more light to not only the amazing works of August Wilson, but hopefully also finally gets the restoration of his childhood home moving at a faster pace.


As a Pgh transplant, raised in the sticks with little knowledge of August Wilson, I have to say the trailers for this movie look great, and I am definitely going to see it next week while off of work for the holidays.

[gg]

Looking forward to seeing this movie. Sure is getting a lot of national press.

[Goodjules]

I live not far from the West End where they re-created old Centre Ave on South Main St. Some of my neighbors commute that way and posted photos of the transformed street complete with vintage cars. It was very cool. I belong to the YMCA on Centre Ave and a few members told me that Fences had been filming on their streets in the Hill District. Can't wait to see the movie.

[krogerDisco]

Originally Posted by Copanut

I question how many locals have an interest in Mr. Wilson's plays. The initial failure of the August Wilson Center is a case in point. My wife and I have seen all the AW plays over the years. Hope Mr. Denzel is able to pull it off. Not all plays translate well onto the silver screen.

My introduction to August Wilson was in college. Hist play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" was required reading for my History of Theater class. I liked his play.

[WRnative]

Viola Davis won the Golden Globes award for best supporting actress.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/01/0...list-2017.html

[SteelCityRising]

It was a fabulous movie. Viola Davis gave me chills!