American Fiction (2023)

I watched Cord Jefferson's "American Fiction," a film that was an Academy Award nominee this year but was not released in theaters in Japan, and was quietly added to Amazon Prime's unlimited viewing catalog without much fanfare (which, in a sense, could be considered a good deal...).

The protagonist, "Monk," is an intelligent man with firm opinions who works as both a writer and a university professor. Although he is Black, he teaches at university that instead of simply rejecting discriminatory language against Black people, one should understand the background from which such words originated. Because of this, he is told to take a leave of absence after a white student complains, "That is a racial slur against Black people!"

Meanwhile, as a literary novelist, Monk is so committed to serious, stiff content—much like his lectures—that his new work is rejected for "not being Black enough, despite being written by a Black man," leaving him unable to publish anything new for a while. Monk is frustrated, thinking, "It's disgusting that all that sells in the world is contrived 'Black entertainment' that relies on insulting expressions!" yet he lives in an America where such books actually become bestsellers.

With his career not going well, and his mother developing dementia and other family tragedies occurring, Monk falls into a state of utter misfortune. In a drunken stupor, he writes a "stereotypical Black novel" that he absolutely despises.

Of course, Monk has no intention of releasing this ridiculous novel, and his agent is also taken aback, asking, "What is this!?" However, just to see what would happen, the agent sends the manuscript to a publisher. It is a hit, and the publication, film adaptation, and a massive promotional campaign are decided in quick succession. Monk tries to stop the publication in a panic, but once the ball is rolling, it is not easy to stop, and in reality, he needs the money to put his mother in a nursing home...

It is a satirical comedy that forces him to confront the core of his own hypocrisy by writing the very "stereotypical Black book" he despises. It was a highly sophisticated, twisted, and very interesting film!

I completely understand why it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score. I want to watch it again. Even though I can watch it right now on Amazon Prime.

[Postscript]
It actually won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.