The American Society of Magical Negroes is a concept that emerged in literature and popular culture, particularly in the United States. Coined by filmmaker and author Spike Lee, the term refers to a recurring character archetype in films and novels where a Black person possesses extraordinary, almost mystical, qualities that serve to assist the white protagonists in achieving their goals or personal growth. The magical Negro character is typically depicted as wise, spiritual, and possessing supernatural powers or knowledge. These attributes are often used to guide and enlighten the white protagonist, solving their problems or providing assistance without any personal gain or motivation. In this context, the magical Negro is often portrayed as subservient, existing solely to aid white characters in their journey. This trope dates back to the era of slavery in the United States, where enslaved black people were often stereotyped as having knowledge or abilities beyond the understanding of their white masters.
I Will Be Seated for ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’
On November 15, Focus Features released a teaser trailer for The American Society of Magical Negroes. And even though I’m salty they only shared it on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) but not YouTube, I have not been the same since.
Directed by writer/actor Kobi Libii (Doubt, Madam Secretary), the satirical fantasy film looks to turn the storytelling trope of the Magical Negro on its head and into a fantastical adventure. As a refresher, the trope occurs when a fictional work uses its primary Black character to serve the interests of its white character. They have little to no importance to the plot and exist as a tool to help the white characters on their journey. Unfortunately, this is not a trope of a bygone era. In 2019, the Oscars awarded Green Book, a movie that turned an important Black American composer, Don Shirley, into a Magical Negro. Even into the 2020s, the trope has reappeared in popular media like The Queen’s Gambit and The Strand. You can learn more about the trope in former TMS writer Princess Weekes’s video on Magical Negros in Stephen King’s work.
The American Society of Magical Negroes stars Justice Smith (Detective Pikachu, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) as Aren. After a secret society of magical Black people recruits Aren to help join their cause, his life changes forever. What’s their cause? Making white people’s lives easier. The teaser trailer shows iconic performer-with-too-many-credits-to-choose-from David Alan Grier delivering this message to Aren. The film also features An-Li Bogan (The Unsettling), Drew Tarver (The Other Two), Michaela Watkins (The Unicorn), Rupert Friend (Homeland), and Nicole Byer (Nailed It!).
While satirizing this trope is not new, it’s newer to film and that’s really exciting. In 2012, Key & Peele gave us an episode with a “Magical Negro Fight.” In 2019, Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show explored this via their “Magical Negro Rehab” skit. Still, no film has confronted this legacy through a central topic like The American Society of Magical Negroes appears to be. In an interview with IONCINEMA, Libii shared his hopes for the film.
“I think people will feel energized and lifted by [The American Society of Magical Negroes] at the end. But it’s also a racial satire with some real teeth to it. So, it’s not afraid to bite while at the same time it will pour something nice on the wound before you leave.”
The American Society of Magical Negroes premieres in theaters on March 22, 2024.
(featured image: Focus Features)
Focus Features Dates Kobi Libii Satire ‘The American Society Of Magical Negroes’ For Spring
Focus Features has set a March 22nd theatrical release date for The American Society of Magical Negroes, a satirical comedy marking the feature directorial debut of Kobi Libii, which stars Justice Smith (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves), David Alan Grier (upcoming The Color Purple), and more.
Focus is distributing the pic in the U.S., with Universal Pictures International handling international. Set to open against it on the 22nd is Lionsgate’s Mark Wahlberg pic Arthur the King. The film tells the story of a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.
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Rounding out the cast are An-Li Bogan (After Yang), Drew Tarver (The Other Two), Michaela Watkins (You Hurt My Feelings), Rupert Friend (Asteroid City), and Nicole Byer (Nailed It!). Pic’s producers included Julia Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman of Sight Unseen, as well as Angel Lopez and Libii.
An alum of Sundance’s Screenwriters and Directors Labs, where he developed The American Society, Libii has most recently been seen writing and performing on Comedy Central’s The Opposition with Jordan Klepper. Other onscreen credits for the writer, director and actor include the shows Doubt, Madam Secretary, and Transparent, to name just a few.
Focus is currently in theaters with Alexander Payne’s dramedy The Holdovers starring Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and up-and-comer Dominic Sessa. Among other titles coming up for release through the company are Zelda William’s feature directorial debut Lisa Frankenstein, written by Diablo Cody, which is out February 9th, and Ethan Coen’s Drive-Away Dolls starring Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Beanie Feldstein, which hits theaters February 23rd.
Focus Features
Focus Features will release filmmaker Kobi Libii’s feature directorial debut, The American Society of Magical Negroes, on March 22, 2024. Libii is an alumnus of both the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and Directors Lab, where he first developed the project. The American Society of Magical Negroes is a fresh, satirical comedy about a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.
The film stars Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Rupert Friend, and Nicole Byer, and is produced by Julia Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman of Sight Unseen, Angel Lopez, and Kobi Libii.
Kobi Libii is a writer/director/actor, most recently seen writing and performing on Comedy Central’s The Opposition with Jordan Klepper.
Focus Features’ slate includes Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers starring Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, along with upcoming titles Drive-Away Dolls from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke starring Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Beanie Feldstein, Zelda William’s feature directorial debut Lisa Frankenstein, written by Diablo Cody, as well as Back to Black about the life and music of Amy Winehouse from director Sam Taylor-Johnson, Robert Eggers’ reimagining of Nosferatu, which stars Bill Skarsgard, Lily Rose-Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Willem Dafoe, Baltasar Kormakur’s Touch, and Goran Stolevski’s new feature, Housekeeping for Beginners, among others.
Focus is distributing The American Society of Magical Negroes in the U.S. with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution.
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This trope dates back to the era of slavery in the United States, where enslaved black people were often stereotyped as having knowledge or abilities beyond the understanding of their white masters. However, it gained popularity in the mid-20th century with films such as "The Green Mile" and "The Legend of Bagger Vance," where Black characters effectively served as instruments of white redemption, often sacrificing their own well-being for the benefit of white characters. Critics argue that the concept of the magical Negro perpetuates racial stereotypes and fails to represent Black characters as fully developed individuals with their own complexities and agency.
By reducing them to one-dimensional figures used solely to further white character development, it reinforces the power dynamics and racial inequalities that exist in society. While the magical Negro archetype has faced criticism for its problematic portrayal of Black characters, it has also sparked discussions regarding the representation of race in popular media. This criticism has led to a greater demand for diverse and nuanced portrayals of Black characters in literature, film, and television, with the aim of dismantling racial stereotypes and promoting more authentic narratives. In conclusion, the American Society of Magical Negroes highlights a recurring character archetype that has perpetuated racial stereotypes and contributed to unequal power dynamics. However, it has also spurred conversations about representation and the need for more authentic and diverse portrayals of Black characters in popular culture..
Reviews for "The Magical Negro and the Erasure of Black Agency in American Narratives"
1. John - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "The American Society of Magical Negroes". I found the story to be poorly written and the characters lacked depth. The concept of magical negroes felt forced and cliché. The plot seemed to drag on and I found myself losing interest halfway through the book. Overall, I think this book failed to live up to its potential and I would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "The American Society of Magical Negroes" but unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the idea behind the book was promising, the execution was lacking. The writing style felt disjointed and the pacing was uneven. I also struggled to connect with the characters, as their emotions and motivations were not well-defined. Ultimately, I found myself skimming through the pages and feeling disappointed with the overall result.
3. Mark - 3 stars
"The American Society of Magical Negroes" had an interesting premise, but it didn't fully deliver for me. The concept of exploring the role of magical negroes in society was intriguing, but I felt that the story lacked depth and failed to fully explore the complexities of the subject matter. Additionally, the writing style was at times confusing and overly descriptive. While the book had its moments, overall it left me wanting more and I wouldn't consider it a standout read.