The first day of shooting for Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson” was filled with emotions for Denzel Washington. He witnessed his sons in action — Malcolm directing and John David performing — while sitting beside his daughter Katia, who also produced the film.

At 69 years old, Washington felt a strong sense of pride as a father but quickly had to switch gears to focus on filmmaking: “Great, we’re all here. Alright, what’s the next step?” he shared with a smile during an interview with his longtime producing partner, Todd Black.

Black chimed in, expressing his excitement: “It’s been thrilling and so much fun to see these siblings collaborate and create art together.”

This family connection adds depth to “Piano Lesson” (now available on Netflix), a dramatic adaptation of August Wilson’s play that explores themes of family and heritage. The story is set in 1936, following Boy Willie Charles (played by John David Washington) as he journeys from Mississippi to Pittsburgh to visit his sister Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler) and sell a truckload of watermelons, intending to buy the land where their family was once enslaved. Boy Willie also plans to sell their family piano, an important heirloom featuring carvings of their ancestors’ faces, but Berniece is determined to keep it.

The Impact of August Wilson’s ‘Piano Lesson’ on Malcolm Washington

Berniece has faced the loss of three significant individuals – her parents and her husband – and is determined to establish a better future for her daughter while navigating her own trauma and understanding her mother’s relationship with the piano, which she sees as a sacred space, Deadwyler explains. In contrast, Boy Willie admires Berniece and acknowledges the inherited strength within their family, as John David Washington points out.

“Piano Lesson” is the third adaptation of Wilson’s plays produced by Denzel Washington, who has an agreement with Wilson’s estate to turn all ten of the playwright’s works into films. He previously directed and starred in 2016’s “Fences” and was the executive producer for 2020’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” as well as this latest project. “It’s incredible material from a legendary playwright,” Washington remarks.

For John David, 40, viewing and analyzing Wilson’s plays inspired him to pursue acting professionally. However, his younger brother Malcolm, 33, who graduated from the American Film Institute conservatory, prefers to recognize his own limits in writing and directing: “It’s best to know one’s limitations,” he humorously noted, causing his brother to chuckle. However, Malcolm feels that “The Piano Lesson” resonated deeply with him, stating, “There were concepts in this story that compelled me to engage with my personal history and address aspects of my ancestry for the first time.”

Sibling Bonds of Creativity Among Denzel Washington’s Sons

While Denzel Washington remembers the first filming day for “Piano Lesson” vividly, John David Washington cherishes a different moment: the initial cast read-through. “Malcolm came in wearing all-white overalls with a lit candle, and I thought, ‘Wow, look at what he’s created!’” John David recalls with pride. He felt excitement not just for his brother but for this talented director he was about to work with.

Malcolm Washington had a heartfelt moment when he visited John David on the set of Christopher Nolan’s 2020 film “Tenet.”

When Nolan approached to discuss a small scene with John David, Malcolm was overwhelmed with emotion, breaking into tears. “I was so moved. The crew noticed and I couldn’t help but cry. It was just a beautiful moment,” he shared, noting his brother’s embarrassment at the scene.

John David added humorously, “I was thinking, ‘They can still fire me, man.’”

John David Washington’s Deep Connection to His Parents’ Careers

When asked if he has imparted any wisdom to his sons, Denzel Washington chuckles and replies, “I hope it’s common sense.” Recently, Malcolm received a meaningful heirloom from his father: a Bible that belonged to Denzel’s mother, which she got from her uncle. “It’s touched by so many generations of our family,” shares Malcolm.

In conversations about their family’s artistic legacy, John David reflects on the influence of both his parents, especially his mother Pauletta, who has performed on Broadway and in films such as “Philadelphia” and “Antwone Fisher.” He explains, “The type of artist I’m aspiring to be is tied to the legacy they have represented throughout my life.” He also admires his sister Katia, a co-executive producer on his 2021 film “Malcolm & Marie,” and admits he feels “extremely nervous” around her. “She has so much belief in me and is incredibly important to me. I’ve never shared this very publicly, but I really want to make her proud.”

Malcolm wanted to include as many family members as he could in his project, which is why his mother and twin sister Olivia portray different ages of a secondary character. Even though Denzel Washington doesn’t appear on screen, he has a special role too. “He’s a little Easter egg. I can’t reveal where,” teases Malcolm. “His presence is in a manner that I find very poetic and beautiful.”

“In the years ahead, we can always return to ‘The Piano Lesson’ and say, ‘Our story is there, our faces are present, our voices resonate, and our essence can be felt.’ ”