Home > Entertainment

Kobi Libii on the ‘American Society of Magical Negroes’ backlash

"I, too, am extremely skeptical of the stories Hollywood tells about Black people."
 By 
Teodosia Dobriyanova
 on 
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard
Kobi Labii smiles at the camera against a 'American Society for Magical Negroes' background
Watch Next
Stephen Colbert gleefully mocks the 'All American' alternative Super Bowl halftime show
Vic Michaelis on masterminding Brennan Lee Mulligan quitting Dropout for American Girl Dolls 5:34
People are freaking out about 'Fallout' — but are they right? 5:27
Is U.S. TikTok censoring its users? 3:10

Mashable speaks to director Kobi Libii and actor Justice Smith about working together on The American Society for Magical Negroes, the backlash the film received upon the trailer release, and pitching a Black film to a room full of white decision-makers.

The American Society of Magical Negroes hits theaters on March 15.

Related Stories

Topics Film

Picture of Teodosia
Teodosia Dobriyanova
Video Producer

Teodosia is a video producer at Mashable UK, focussing on stories about climate resilience, urban development, and social good.

Latest Videos
From Dropout to 'Saturday Night Live' with Jeremy Culhane and Kurt Maloney
By Mark Stetson
Dropout's Kurt Maloney and Jeremy Culhane on Say More from SXSW
Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
By Sam Haysom
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.
'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
By Shannon Connellan
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.
'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' cast singing a gloriously silly ballad is a fun time
By Sam Haysom
A man in a Bowser costume stands holding a guitar, while another man's face is visible in a colourful star.
A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
By Shannon Connellan
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."
Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
By Sam Haysom
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.
Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
By Sam Haysom
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."
Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
By Sam Haysom
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.
'Backrooms' trailer teases a nightmarish journey into an eerie liminal space
By Sam Haysom
Chiwetel Ejiofor stands in a yellow-hued room looking concerned.
Jamie Dornan leads 'SNL UK' song roasting British tourists
By Sam Haysom
A man in a green shirt stands in a pub holding a plate of fries.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!