*Surprise! Look who showed up at the screening of Netflix’s “Rustin” at the inaugural HBCU First Look Film Festival Friday night in Washington, D.C. None other than Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
“It’s great to see even more of you since the strikes are over,” the former POTUS told the audience. “As somebody who cares a lot about the power of workers in this country and as the father of somebody who writes in film, I am glad that both the actors and the writers came to an agreement that recognizes their worth and their work.”
As one of the opening day/night events for the new festival, which closes today (11-12-23), the “Rustin” screening was held at the National Museum of African American History. The festival -the brainchild of industry vet Shiela Eldridge – celebrates Black filmmakers and Black creatives in the entertainment industry.
Also in attendance were students from Morgan State, Bowie State, and Howard Universities, as well as high-level political figures, including Obama’s former National Security Advisor Susan Rice and current White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
“Rustin” is about a real person, Bayard Rustin, who was openly gay and an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a time period that was much more hostile to queer people than today. Even with that load to carry and deal with, it was Rustin who helped plan 1963’s momentous and historic March on Washington.
“Rustin” is headlined by Colman Domingo (“Candyman”) as civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. And of course, it’s not just a coincidence that the Obamas were there because the film is their production via their production company Higher Ground.
“I hope we all know about the March on Washington — we know about the huge crowds, the historic speeches — but the story of what went on behind the scenes is a little more hazy. We don’t know much about the folks who did the hard work,” Michelle Obama said in her address to audiences. “Bayard Rustin was the driving force behind all of that.”
“And yet — his name is not synonymous with that history as so many others. An openly gay Black man did not easily fit in — even in the heart of a movement for civil rights and justice. And he wasn’t celebrated in our history, either,” she continued. “To us, this film is about painting that fuller story of our history — triumphs, complications, all of it.”
Barack and Michelle Obama
The former president also had this to say about Bayard Rustin and the film.
“[Bayard Rustin] is one of the seminal figures that changed the course of American history,” stated the former president. “Without him, I might not have been President and you might not be sitting where you are today.”
Bruce Cohen, George C. Wolfe, and Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis serve as producers. Wolfe also directs the film.
“Rustin” opened in select theaters on Nov. 3 and will start streaming on Netflix from Nov. 17.
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