In the satirical film “American Fiction,” a frustrated writer can't get his latest book published because editors say it's not "Black" enough. They want him to write clichéd stories about Black life — something screenwriter and director Cord Jefferson says he experienced firsthand as a writer in Hollywood.

In this episode of Fresh Air, host Tonya Mosley talks to Jefferson about his directorial debut, which was recently nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

This interview originally aired December 12, 2023.

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