Netflix Buys Rights to Young Barack Obama Film ‘Barry’
Netflix has acquired the worldwide rights to “Barry,” a film that stars Devon Terrell as young Barack Obama.
The film, set in 1981 New York City, follows the future president as he navigates through college in a new city where he is faced with questions about race, culture and identity.
“Barry” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10. It is produced and directed by Vikram Gandhi. Terrell previously starred in Steve McQueen‘s HBO pilot “Codes of Conduct.”
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“Barry” is a joint production between Black Bear Pictures and Cinetic Media, produced by Cinetic’s Dana O’Keefe and Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman and Ben Stillman.
Gandhi previously directed the SXSW Audience Award winner, “Kumare,” which starred Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ashley Judd, Ellar Coltrane and Avi Nash.
“Southside With You,” another film about young Obama, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It followed his first date with First Lady Michelle Robinson.
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At TIFF, Netflix also bought the rights to Justin Timberlake‘s “Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids.”
Directed by Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme and produced by Emmy Award winner Gary Goetzman, the film showcases Timberlake’s final date of his 20/20 Experience World Tour at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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