Fences

Name: Fences
Genre: Drama
Released: 2016-12-16
Duration: 2 h 19 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby

Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.

Fences (2016)

Timing: 2:19 (139 min)

7.1/10
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7.2/10
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Everything about the movie

Video 23

Photo 35

Actors and characters

Video for the film Fences — Fences (2016) - "Denzel as Director" Featurette - Paramount Pictures

1:27

Photo 35

Release date

2016-12-16

Country

Canada, United States

Production

Paramount, Scott Rudin Productions, Bron Studios, Escape Artists, MACRO

Genre

Drama

Budget

$24 000 000

Box office

$64 414 761

Website

Director

Denzel Washington

Actors

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney, Lesley Boone, Christopher Mele, Jason Silvis
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Producer

Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington, Todd Black, Dale Wells, Molly Allen, Eli Bush, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andrew Pollack, Charles D. King, Kim Roth

Camera operator

Charlotte Bruus Christensen

Composer

Marcelo Zarvos

Artist

David Gropman

Audition

Victoria Thomas

Editing

Hughes Winborne
Whole Team (89)

Short description

In 1950s Pittsburgh, a frustrated African-American father struggles with the constraints of poverty, racism, and his own inner demons as he tries to raise a family.

What's left behind the scenes

According to Denzel Washington, after performing the role in the theatrical production of “Fences” 114 times, directing the film adaptation was not difficult.
In the action film "Lila & Eva" (Charles Stone III, 2015), the phrase that Viola Davis's character has a "date with Denzel" is repeated several times. This implies that she is staying at home watching movies starring her favorite actor, Denzel Washington. In the film "Fences" (2016), Davis plays Washington's wife.
August Wilson stipulated that the film adaptation of his play be directed by an African American.
'Fences' was the first play by August Wilson (1945-2005) that he adapted for the screen.
When Paramount Studios acquired the rights to film the play in 1987, it was with Eddie Murphy in mind, who wanted to move away from comedic roles and star in a “serious” film. Murphy was planned for the role of 17-year-old Cory, however, in 1987 the actor was already 10 years older than the character, and numerous delays in filming soon made him completely unsuitable for the role due to his age.
“Fences” was the first play by August Wilson (1945-2005) that he adapted for the screen.
'Fences' is a 1983 play by August Wilson (1945-2005). The action takes place in 1950s America. 'Fences' is the sixth part of the 'Pittsburgh Cycle,' which consists of ten plays. In 1987, the play won the Pulitzer Prize.
The play “Fences” premiered on Broadway in 1987. The play won Tony Awards (presented annually for achievements in American theater) for “Best Play,” “Best Actor” (James Earl Jones), and “Best Actress” (Mary Alice). In 2010, the production was revived, receiving Tony Awards for “Best Revival of a Play,” “Best Actor” (Denzel Washington), and “Best Actress” (Viola Davis). All five adult actors who starred in the 2010 production played in the film adaptation. Washington starred in the leading role and directed the film.
Viola Davis was nominated for 'Best Supporting Actress' for her role in the film 'Fences,' which sparked a wave of criticism. Director and actor Denzel Washington stated that he also disliked this, but it was the actress's own choice. Davis decided that she would have a better chance of winning in that category.
“Fences” is a 1983 play by August Wilson (1945-2005). It is set in 1950s America. “Fences” is the 6th part of the “Pittsburgh Cycle,” which consists of 10 plays. The play received a Pulitzer Prize in 1987.
In 2017, August Wilson was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Adapted Screenplay.
The film was shot in Pittsburgh, August Wilson's hometown.
August Wilson required that the film adaptation of his play be directed by an African American.
In 2017, August Wilson was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award in the category of “Best Adapted Screenplay”.
In the action film “Lila & Eve” (Charles Stone III, 2015), the phrase about Viola Davis’s character having a “date with Denzel” is repeated several times. This refers to her staying home and watching films starring her favorite actor, Denzel Washington. In “Fences” (2016), Davis plays Washington’s wife.
The play 'Fences' premiered on Broadway in 1987. It won Tony Awards (presented annually for achievements in American theater) for 'Best Play,' 'Best Actor' (James Earl Jones), and 'Best Featured Actress' (Mary Alice). In 2010, the production was revived, winning Tony Awards for 'Best Revival of a Play,' 'Best Actor' (Denzel Washington), and 'Best Actress' (Viola Davis). All five adult actors from the 2010 production starred in the film adaptation. Washington played the lead role and served as the film's director.
The film was shot in Pittsburgh, the hometown of August Wilson.
August Wilson worked extensively and for a long time on the screenplay for the film based on his play, but he did not manage to finish it before his death. In January 2016, the online magazine Deadline Hollywood reported that producer Scott Rudin had commissioned playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner, a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner, to complete the script. In December 2016, The New York Times reported that in the film's credits, Kushner is listed not as one of the screenwriters, but as one of the producers. At that time, it was the only film in which Kushner was credited as a producer.
When Paramount Studios acquired the film rights to the play in 1987, it was done with Eddie Murphy in mind, as he wanted to move away from his image as a comic actor and star in a "serious" film. Murphy was planned for the role of 17-year-old Cory; however, by 1987, the actor was already ten years older than the character, and numerous filming delays soon made him completely unsuitable for the role of Cory due to his age.
According to Denzel Washington, after performing the role 114 times in the stage production of "Fences," directing the film adaptation of the play was not a difficult task.
August Wilson worked long and hard on the screenplay for his play, but never finished it before his death. In January 2016, the online magazine Deadline Hollywood reported that producer Scott Rudin had tasked playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner, a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner, with completing the screenplay. In December 2016, The New York Times reported that Kushner was credited in the film not as a screenwriter, but as a producer. At that time, this was the only film in which Kushner was credited as a producer.
Viola Davis’s performance in “Fences” earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, which sparked a wave of criticism. Director and actor Denzel Washington stated that he also disliked it, but that was the actress’s choice. Davis decided she would have a better chance of winning in that category.