The Big Picture

  • "American Fiction" is a satire of racial identity and artistic merit that won the Toronto International Film Festival's People's Choice Award.
  • The film follows Monk Ellison, an acclaimed writer who becomes frustrated with the popularity of a new novel by an up-and-coming author. He decides to replicate the style of writing that seems to be popular among white writers.
  • Monk's plan backfires when his new book becomes a success and is praised by white publishers. The film explores themes of racial authenticity and the commodification of Black trauma in storytelling.