Barack Obama Celebrates SAG-AFTRA, WGA Deals During Surprise Appearance at ‘Rustin’ Screening
variety.comValerie Wu Intern Barack Obama celebrated the end of Hollywood’s historic strikes during a surprise appearance alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama at a special screening of Netflix’s “Rustin.” “It’s great to see even more of you since the strikes are over,” the former president told the audience on Friday night in Washington, D.C.
He added, “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.” The screening for the Netflix biopic was held at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C, and was one of the opening night events for the inaugural HBCU First Look Film Festival from Nov.
10 to Nov. 12. The festival celebrates Black filmmakers and draws HBCU students and graduates to hear from Black creatives in the entertainment industry. “Rustin” follows the story of Bayard Rustin, advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., who helped plan 1963’s momentous March on Washington.
The film, which stars Colman Domingo (“Candyman”) as civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, is produced by the Obamas’ production company Higher Ground.
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