Malcolm D. Lee: The Best Man Holiday

November 18, 2013

A Director Q&A in New York

College buddies and their significant others come together for a Christmastime reunion in Director Malcolm D. Lee’s comedic drama Best Man Holiday.

The film is Lee’s follow-up to his 1999 feature The Best Man and continues the story of Harper, Lance, Sullivan and Quentin, four friends who have gone their separate ways after their school days. When they decide to get together over the holidays old rivalries and new romances rise to the surface.

Following the DGA membership screening in New York on November 17, Lee spoke about returning to familiar territory and getting to work again with actors Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and Regina Hall, all of whom reprised their roles from his 1999 film. Director Mary Lambert (Pearl) served as moderator of the discussion that was sponsored by the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee (EDSC).

In addition to his two Best Man films, Lee’s other works include the features Scary MoVie; Soul Men; Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins; Roll Bounce; Undercover Brother and an episode of the television series Everybody Hates Chris. He has been a member of the DGA since 1998.

The EDSC represents the concerns of members of African, Asian, Native American, Arab-Middle Eastern or Latino descent residing in the East. Committed to improving employment opportunities, working conditions and skills of ethnically diverse members, the EDSC sponsors workshops, seminars, and networking events to showcase their talents, recognize their contributions, and increase their visibility in the industry.

Pictures & Video

photos by DGA Staff - print courtesy of Universal Pictures

View slideshow

FULL TALK (40:15): Writer/Director Malcolm D. Lee talks about his new film, The Best Man Holiday, with Moderator Mary Lambert.

HIGHLIGHT: Writer/Director Lee discusses how the characters in The Best Man Holiday reflect both himself and the people in his own life.

HIGHLIGHT: Lee describes "finding the funny," and how he works on developing comedic moments with actors who are more familiar with dramatic material.

HIGHLIGHT: Writer/Director Malcolm D. Lee describes how he put together The Best Man Holiday, a sequel released 14 years after the original film.

Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau and Terrence Howard in a scene from Director Malcolm D. Lee’s The Best Man Holiday.
Photo by Michael Gibson – © 2013 - Universal Pictures.

Director Malcolm D. Lee speaks about the making of The Best Man Holiday following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Directors Malcolm D. Lee and Mary Lambert (moderator) who discussed the making of The Best Man Holiday following the DGA membership screening in New York.

EDSC members Julia Morgan, Gregory Routt, EDSC Co-Chair Jason Hightower, Directors Mary Lambert (moderator) and Malcolm D. Lee, and EDSC Co-Chair Rebecca Strickland.