March 11th 2024.
The creators of The American Society of Magical Negroes are finally addressing the buzz and mixed reactions surrounding their witty and satirical film. As it prepares to hit theaters on March 15th, this fresh comedy takes inspiration from the "magical negro" trope that has been popularized in American cinema and television for decades. However, due to its controversial nature, the movie has sparked strong responses from both white and Black audiences who have taken issue with its playful take on assimilation and white guilt.
The film follows the story of Aren, a young man who is recruited into a secretive organization of magical individuals whose main purpose is to cater to the needs and comforts of white people. Initially fascinated by his newfound abilities, Aren begins to question the morality of using supernatural powers to fulfill a duty that he has been forced to uphold his entire life. As he falls in love with a white woman, Aren starts to find his voice and realizes that his loyalty to the Society may have unintended consequences.
During a recent appearance on BLACK ENTERPRISE's The Culture Shift, director Kobi Libii, lead actor Justice Smith, and supporting actress Nicole Byer discussed the film's plot and their hopes for inspiring Black viewers to recognize their own worth. For Libii, he acknowledges that the film will receive strong reactions, but believes that it is his responsibility as an artist to initiate important conversations.
"My job as an artist is not to predict how each individual audience member will respond to my work. My job is to be brutally honest, even if it means exposing my own shame, and to captivate the audience," he explains. "I release my work into the world and people will react to it in their own way. I know that for some Black viewers, this film will empower them and move them deeply."
Growing up as a biracial man in America, Libii has firsthand experience with the pressure to assimilate or "code switch" in order to fit in with the white majority. He reveals that he made this film to confront this issue and process his own experiences with assimilation.
"I am writing about a defense mechanism. As a Black man, I am admitting that sometimes, in order to survive, I have had to over-accommodate white people and be overly friendly towards them," he shares. While it may be difficult to admit, Libii believes it is a character flaw worth exploring through the medium of cinema.
"My job is not to present myself in the best light. My job is to be honest and hopefully, captivating. I know that there will be a range of reactions to this film," he adds.
Check out the full interview below to hear more from the creators of The American Society of Magical Negroes, and be sure to catch the film in theaters on March 15th.
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