Fences

"Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in."

2016 2h 19m EN

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 2,865

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In 1950s Pittsburgh, a frustrated African-American father struggles with the constraints of poverty, racism, and his own inner demons as he tries to raise a family.

“Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Denzel Washington
Troy Maxson
Viola Davis
Rose Maxson
Stephen McKinley Henderson
Jim Bono
Jovan Adepo
Cory Maxson
Russell Hornsby
Lyons Maxson
Mykelti Williamson
Gabriel Maxson
Saniyya Sidney
Raynell Maxson
Lesley Boone
Evangelist Preacher

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Denzel Washington
Writers: August Wilson
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America, Canada

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 10 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United States of America, Canada.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Denzel Washington, shot by Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Marcelo Zarvos. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Hughes Winborne shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis and Stephen McKinley Henderson carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt2671706 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Denzel Washington directs. Charlotte Bruus Christensen behind the camera. Marcelo Zarvos scores. Hughes Winborne cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America, Canada. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 10 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: United States of America, Canada.
3Directed by Denzel Washington, shot by Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Marcelo Zarvos. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Hughes Winborne shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Denzel Washington and Viola Davis and Stephen McKinley Henderson carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.".
8IMDB entry: tt2671706 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 12 themes, including "garbageman ", "war veteran", "father", "based on play or musical".

The technical file

Cinematography: Charlotte Bruus Christensen
Original score: Marcelo Zarvos
Editing: Hughes Winborne
Production design: David Gropman
Costume design: Sharen Davis
Makeup / hair: Nancy Keslar
VFX supervisor: Sean Devereaux
Sound: Scott Millan
Stunt coordinator: Clay Donahue Fontenot
Runtime: 139 min · 2h 19m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $24,000,000
Box office: $64,400,000
Return: 268% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Fences (2016)

Awards

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Denzel Washington

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Reno2017-06-15
★ 6/10
Trying to be a good husband and father! It took nearly a decade for Denzel to direct another film and this time it sailed through the Oscars with four nominations and one won out of it. Yeah, it was Viola Davis, who snatched the most prestigious award for her supporting actress role. Originally the film based on the stage play of the same name. It is a drama takes place in the 50s about a hard working family man, Troy. His past was not very good, which makes him a little arrogant when it comes to raining his boy. Marrying Rose was the best ever thing happened in his life. Though it was not a perfect family. The differences between them is what later bring twist and turns in the tale before heading for the final of the final act. A very simple drama on the fine topic. Most of the film was just a conversation or arguments. And most of the film was little slow moving with the very long overall runtime. If you can manage that, you can enjoy it. If you are a drama genre fan, then you will be more than happy for giving it a try. One of the best drama films of the year, yet not the greatest. It's all finger points at the performances. Those magnificent actors displayed magnificent show. Nearly 35 years old screenplay and 70 years old timeline, still looked the same and powerful. Despite the film's success and poured praises, I don't think it is for everyone. Definitely young generations won't enjoy it. It is mainly for families. 6/10

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