In Kobi Libii’s directorial debut, “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” to put it lightly, the veil is lifted. That veil in question being the intricacies of race relations and stereotypes in the 21st century, when everyone seems hyper aware of it all, but no one actually knows how to navigate it with the right mix of seriousness and levity. Enter this particular film, which follows Aren (Justice Smith) who is recruited to a magical society of “negroes,” (an antiquated and ultimately offensive term, the film makes sure to point that out), whose job it is to make sure that white people don’t get too uncomfortable during their day-to-day lives, and start taking frustrations out on minority groups. Aren gets his first assignment posing as a graphic designer to keep tabs on a cranky white coworker (Drew Tarver), and winds up meeting the lovely Lizzie (An-Li Bogan). Soon, this dramedy becomes a romance, as Aren and Lizzie toe the line of just friends or something more?
Lizzie is Bogan’s first lead role, having previously appeared as various background characters in projects like “After Yang,” “Love Life,” and “Elementary,” and she fits right in.
Character Media sat down with Bogan to discuss her experience taking on the role of the leading lady.
Character Media: In three words, how would you describe “The American Society of Magical Negroes”?
An-Li Bogan: It’s funny, heartwarming, nuanced.
CM: What was your favorite part of working on this project? What drew you towards the film to begin with?
AB: I read the scripts and was auditioning a lot at the time. It was a really good script, and I really related to the character. That’s so special and rare when you read an audition and you really want…
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