Actor Justice Smith leads Kobi Libii’s new therapeutic thriller, The American Society of Magical Negroes. The satirical film offers an artistic interpretation of the long-term effects of covert racism on people of color, specifically Black men. The film gives context to racial microaggressions that have become normalized, but leave indelible mental trauma on people of color. Smith says playing the role of Aren — a biracial artist recruited into a secret society with a mission to appease the desires of White people for the overall benefit of Black people — allowed him to see himself and some of the issues he dealt with subconsciously as a biracial man himself.
“This role allowed me to see myself and some of the behavior I didn’t even realize I was doing. Aren’s realization and moment where he stands up for himself in his own way was cathartic for me in many ways,” Smith shared. Justice Smith’s Aren is mentored on dealing with White people by Roger, played by comedic legend David Alan Grier.
Libii says he wrote the film to give a voice to his unique perspective as a biracial man living in America. While attacking the “magical Negro” trope, he says it was important to give a voice to Black men that don’t fit the stereotypes often seen in film and television. Libii and Smith joked that The American Society of Magical Negroes is an ode to the struggle of the gentle straight Black man that often is overlooked in conversations of racial bias.
“We have to continue pushing for more stories from people of color. We know we are not a monolith and as filmmakers; we can’t be charged with telling the story of every Black person,” Libii said.
Libii said he learned the whimsical yet bold title made people uncomfortable after hearing feedback from various focus groups.
“We realized the title was making White people uncomfortable, and I would say to them that’s OK. It’s OK for White people to be uncomfortable with the title. Some of them didn’t feel comfortable repeating the title, and others would ask if they could. I refused to give them permission because that is the essence of this conversation. That feeling of being uncomfortable and not knowing what to do with it pales in comparison to what people of color deal with every day,” the director said.
The American Society of Magical Negroes opens in theaters on March 15. Libii said he hopes the film sparks conversation on the impact of racism on people of color from a mental health perspective. He said the film challenges moviegoers to look at the many unspoken and unaddressed adjustments they’ve made maneuvering in a world that forces people of color to code switch for success.
“There are so many little things that Black people have passed down generationally to ensure their children are equipped to stay alive in a country that sees their presence as a threat,” Libii said.
