Jamie Foxx Explains Why Soul’s Barbershop Scenes Are Integral To The Film

Soul star Jamie Foxx explained the significance of the barbershop scenes in Pixar’s new film, which became available to stream on Disney+ December 25. Soul follows Joe Gardner (Foxx), a middle school music teacher and aspiring jazz pianist who’s waiting for his big break. But after a potentially tragic accident, Joe’s soul must find a way to return to his body in time for the big performance that could kick start his career.

The film was directed by Pete Docter, who also helmed Pixar’s Inside Out, and Kemp Powers, who wrote the screenplay for the upcoming Amazon film One Night in Miami based on his play of the same name. Docter, Powers, and Mike Jones wrote the screenplay for Soul, and big names like Tina Fey, Daveed Diggs, Graham Norton, Richard Ayoade, Questlove, and Angela Bassett round out the cast. Soul is being lauded both for its universal message about finding one’s purpose in life as well as its sensitive portrayal of Black culture. 

Foxx told Variety that the film’s barbershop scenes were particularly significant. He explained that co-director and co-writer Powers was adamant about the barber being Black and about the haircut he gives Joe being done right. According to Variety, Foxx also noted the cultural significance of barbershops in Black communities, which Soul captures in Joe’s emergency trip to his barber after an at-home haircut gone wrong.  Check out Foxx’s full quote below:

“Kemp was smart, [he] was like, ‘No, I want him to be Black, I want that haircut to be [right]. When we’ve got to get a cut, that’s a cultural thing.”

Pixar did extensive research and consulted with influential figures like Ryan Coogler, Quincy Jones, and Yo-Yo Ma to ensure that the film accurately portrays Black culture and the world of jazz. It’s comforting to know that a studio with such a public platform wants to do right, especially after Black people fought tirelessly for their voices to be heard throughout a tumultuous 2020. Something as small as an authentic barbershop scene can really draw audience members in and allow them to connect with the film.

Soul isn’t Pixar’s first film to explore and honor a specific culture. The studio previously did so in Coco with great success, but it’s about time a Pixar film featured a Black protagonist. Perhaps Soul‘s success will encourage other mainstream studios to continue highlighting Black stories on screen. Not only that but hopefully, Pixar will keep spotlighting other cultures in the future, setting a precedent for sensitive and accurate cultural representation in animation. 

Source: Variety

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