Actor Justice Smith is beaming with pride over his latest film, featuring a predominantly Black cast. However, he’s playfully cautioning white individuals against using the film’s full title to avoid some perplexed glances.
Spotted at LAX, Smith shared insights on his new comedy, “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” suggesting in a jest that it might be easier for white viewers to simply refer to it as ‘American Society.’ Of course, his recommendation is all in good humor.
For those unfamiliar with the film, it revolves around a character named Aren (played by Smith) joining a secret society of Black individuals using magic to keep white folks happy, and consequently, docile. The movie boasts stellar performances by “The Color Purple” star David Alan Grier and Nicole Byer from “Good Burger 2,” among others.
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Interestingly, Smith’s playful suggestion mirrors a line from the movie’s trailer, where his character proposes renaming their organization to “The American Society Of Magical Black Folks.” Life imitating art, indeed!
Beyond the humor, Smith shared that the film satirizes the “magical negro” trope prevalent in films depicting Black characters over the years. To grasp the essence, check out the trailer.
With two movies set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, including “American Society,” Smith anticipates a busy schedule. The film hits theaters on March 22, but perhaps consider purchasing tickets online rather than boldly proclaiming the full title at the ticket window.
