“American Fiction,” which stars Jeffrey Wright and Sterling K. Brown as warring brothers, scored in its September world premiere at Toronto’s international film festival by taking home the coveted People’s Choice Award, often a precursor to Oscar attention.

A satirical look at contemporary race relations, “Fiction” has Wright, 57, as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a frustrated novelist who, in disgust, writes an outrageous cliché-ridden “Black” book – only to see it become a critically acclaimed bestseller.

Along the way, Monk becomes caretaker for his aging mother (Leslie Uggams) and roommate to his brother Cliff who has left his wife and two kids to come out as a party-hearty, drug and disco indulging homosexual.

For Wright, Monk was a man he knew intimately. “I can tell this man’s story, I know this man’s journey. There were just a number of overlaps,” Wright said at an LA press conference.  “Particularly his becoming the caretaker. That was an experience I knew probably too intimately.”

The script he called, “So finely tuned. The satire, the irony — I understood the ‘music’ and hopped onboard.”

A distinct pleasure: Working with an 80-year-old legend.

Uggams’ career started in 1951 on the ground-breaking Black TV sitcom “Beulah.” She was eight. Then came a Tony, Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, “Roots” and a career that virtually defines Black resilience.

“We had a conversation the other day,” Wright said, “about some of the issues in the films and some of the issues of representation and how we respond to that. I realized Leslie Uggams was one of those who figuratively marched on Washington.

“Going back into history, not only is her journey seminal to culture, we stand on her shoulders. She is also a generous collaborator who was thrilled to be there.

“I’ll tell you what kind of artist she is,” Wright continued. “It was late September in Scituate, a gorgeous little harbor town east of Boston, so it was cold.

“Leslie is out there, practically barefoot in a housecoat walking along the beach. I’m down in the water with her, the crew is up on this sea wall. I want to make sure she’s okay walking back and forth in the water.

“I’m concerned for her health — and that we get what we need.  I say, ‘Leslie, do you think we can get one more?’ She looks at me and says, ‘Of course. We’re shooting a movie.  Look at the camera, son. Remember your lines.’

“She was,” White laughed, “so committed, so clear. Just an old pro. My thanks to her for being the heart of this. But also for all that she’s allowed us to do.”

“American Fiction” opens Friday