Barack Obama Praises SAG-AFTRA, WGA Deals, Honors Civil Rights Pioneer ‘Rustin’ At DC Screening

Former President Barack Obama announced the end of the Hollywood labor dispute at a special screening on Friday Quietthe Netflix civil rights biopic Bayard Rustin, directed by him and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Prioductions.

Presenting the film at the HBCU First Look Film Festival, Obama said, “It’s great to see more of you now that the strikes are over,” referring to the restrictions on writers and actors promoting their projects during the strike.

He added: “As someone who cares deeply about the power of workers in this country and as the father of a screenwriter, I am pleased that both the writers and the actors have reached an agreement that recognizes the value of their work. ” accept. .”

The show took place at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Obama noted that he awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013, calling him “one of the most important figures who changed the course of American history.” Without him I might not have become president and you might not be where you are now.”

“Yet Bayard was denied his rightful place in history for decades – most of you probably haven’t read it
about him in elementary school, middle school or even high school. The main reason is weather
In the 1950s he was openly homosexual. Imagine. Think about it. This is someone who was brave
enough to be who he was, even though he would definitely be suspended and fired
Jobs have been displaced. And that’s what usually happened.”

Obama said: “No medal can change what happened to Bayard, and no film can ease the pain of generations of Americans who were discriminated against because of who they are and because of their love.” But Michelle and I hope so by telling Bayard’s. story “More people appreciate leaders like him who brought America closer to its highest ideals — even when they weren’t in the spotlight.”

Michelle Obama also weighed in, noting that Rustin “set the stage” for the 1963 March on Washington “and all the progress that came from it.”

“And yet — his name is not synonymous with this story like so many others,” she said. “An openly gay black man did not fit easily into the equation – even in the heart of a movement for civil rights and justice. And it was not celebrated in our history either. For us, this film is about painting the bigger story of our history – triumphs, complications, everything.”

The film’s star, Colman Domingo, as well as director George C. Wolfe, producer Bruce Cohen, producer Tonia Davis and co-screenwriter Julian Breece also attended the screening. Joyce Ladner, an activist featured in the film, was also present; Walter Naegle, Rustin’s partner; and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. Jonathan Capehart led a question-and-answer session with Wolfe and Domingo after the screening.