If “Friends” had an all black cast it would look something like Jay-Z’s “Moonlight” video but less corny. The clip directed by Master Of None’s Alan Yang is a parody of the 90’s hit sitcom and it stars Jerrod Carmichael, Issa Rae, Lil Rel Howery, Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson and Hannibal Buress.
According to Tessa Thompson (who plays Monica in the clip), “Moonlight” video is meant to trigger a conversation about diversity.
“We wanted to have a conversation about diversity and inclusion, which is something that is really ripe in the cultural conversation at this moment,” she said. “And I thought to be able to do it in an artful way, to be able to do it with such talented cohorts, and in a way that it’s creative and open to interpretation could be so interesting.”
During a breakdown with iHeart Radio, Jay-said this about the song. “The hook is ‘We stuck in La La Land/Even if we win, we gonna lose.’ It’s like a subtle nod to La La Land winning the Oscar, and then having to give it to Moonlight. It’s really a commentary on the culture and where we’re going.”
Watch the short film below.
