‘The American Society Of Magical Negroes’ Review: Kobi Libii’s Fantastical Race Comedy Has Charm If Not Focus – Sundance Film Festival
deadline.comSundance has a long history of screening films that tackle issues of race in the U.S. from every possible angle. Some are angry (Birth of a Nation, 2016), some satirical (Dear White People, 2014), and some quite gonzo (Sorry to Bother You, 2018).
Kobi Libii’s feature debut The American Society of Magical Negroes has the distinction of going for all three, and while it results in a wildly uneven tone, there’s something refreshing about its thoughtfulness.
Cord Jefferson’s recent TIFF hit, American Fiction, arguably did a better job of balancing character and politics. But Libii is a talented world-builder, whether taking us into the esoteric halls of an all-Black Hogwarts, or the absurdly boho offices of a largely white Silicon Valley dot-com.
The title is probably the most provocative thing about it, but even that comes with a spoonful of sugar. A pre-credits title card affirms the role of the “magical negro” as a supporting character in TV, books, and movies that exist solely to affirm the white (usually male) lead.
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