New film 'American Fiction' sparks debate on Black artists' struggles for creative freedom

The film adapts Percival Everett's novel "Erasure" and explores a Black author's frustration with industry expectations.
Director Cord Jefferson said screening the finished film for Everett was a "frightening" experience, but Everett gave reassuring feedback.
Lead actor Jeffrey Wright delivers a potential Oscar-worthy performance as the film's protagonist, a novelist struggling to get his work published.
The satirical film tackles issues of stereotyping and compromise Black artists face in order to achieve mainstream success.
Despite some tonal unevenness, "American Fiction" offers clever commentary on the narrow scope of Black narratives depicted in media.