Director Denzel Washington discusses Fences

November 7, 2016

DGA Q&As in Los Angeles and New York

An African-American father struggles to hold his family together in 1950s America, while dealing with race relations and trying to come to terms with the disappointments of his life in Director Denzel Washington's new drama, Fences.

Adapted from August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Washington’s film tells the story of Troy, a former Negro league baseball player now working as a trash collector in 1950s Pittsburgh. When events — some of his own making — threaten to tear his family apart, he must find a way to hold on to his home while also dealing with his own crushed dreams and the dreams of his son. The film features Washington as Troy and Viola Davis as his wife Rose, both reprising their Tony Award-winning roles from the 2010 Broadway revival of the play.

Following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles on November 6, Washington sat down with Director Alexander Payne (Nebraska), to discuss the making of Fences. Washington also spoke about the film in a conversation with Director Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher) following the DGA membership screening in New York on November 19.

In addition to Fences, Washington’s credits include the feature films The Great Debaters and Antwone Fisher and an episode of the television series Grey's Anatomy. Washington has been a DGA member since 2001.

You can listen to Washington's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find all DGA podcast episodes here.

Pictures

Event photos by Howard Wise (Los Angeles) and Marcie Revens (New York)
Print courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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Director Denzel Washington speaks about the making of his new drama, Fences, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director Denzel Washington speaks about the making of his new drama, Fences, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis reprise their Tony Award-winning roles as Troy and Rose in the new dramatic feature Fences, also directed by Washington.

Director Denzel Washington (right) speaks about the making of Fences with Director Bennett Miller (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Director Denzel Washington speaks about the making of his new dramatic feature, Fences, with Director Alexander Payne (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Denzel Washington and Stephen Henderson in Director Denzel Washington’s Fences.

Director Alexander Payne (moderator) asks Denzel Washington a question about the making of Fences following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director Bennett Miller (moderator) asks Denzel Washington a question about the making of Fences following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Directors Denzel Washington and Bennett Miller (moderator) are joined onstage by playwright/screenwriter August Wilson’s widow, Constanza Romero, at the end of the New York DGA membership Q&A for Washington’s new drama, Fences.

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis reprise their Tony Award-winning roles as Troy and Rose in the new dramatic feature Fences, also directed by Washington. Photo by David Lee - © 2016 Paramount Pictures

The DGA Los Angeles Theater audience applauds Directors Denzel Washington and Alexander Payne (moderator) following their discussion about Washington’s new drama, Fences.

The DGA New York Theater applauds Directors Denzel Washington and Bennett Miller (moderator) following their discussion about Washington’s new drama, Fences.

Denzel Washington reprises his Tony Award-winning role as Troy in the new feature Fences, also directed by Washington.

Director Bennett Miller (moderator), playwright/screenwriter August Wilson’s widow, Constanza Romero and Director Denzel Washington pose for a photo following the New York DGA membership screening of Washington’s new drama, Fences.

Directors Denzel Washington and Alexander Payne (moderator) pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Washington’s new drama, Fences.

Director Denzel Washington chats with a member of the audience following the New York DGA membership screening of his new drama, Fences.

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