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Netflix Will Soon Release a New Documentary on Michelle Obama

Photo: Instagram/@michelleobama

Netflix and Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company have announced a new original documentary: Becoming, following the former first lady as she goes on a 34-city tour to promote her bestselling memoir of the same name. The wait isn’t too long as Netflix plans to launch Becoming in just over a week, on May 6. Becoming, will offer a ‘rare and up-close’ look at Michelle Obama’s life. The announcement comes with a letter from Obama, in which she says this wasn’t just a standard book tour: “In groups large and small, young and old, unique and united, we came together and shared stories, filling those spaces with our joys, worries, and dreams.” The documentary is directed by Nadia Hallgren, and will “share the stories of the amazing people I met after the release of my memoir,” Obama wrote in her social media post.

Hallgren, a filmmaker, and cinematographer from the Bronx who recently made the documentary short After Maria, which was about the after-effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rican families. “It’s hard these days to feel grounded or hopeful, but I hope that like me, you’ll find joy and a bit of respite in what Nadia has made,” Obama said in a statement. “Because she’s a rare talent, someone whose intelligence and compassion for others comes through in every frame she shoots. Most importantly, she understands the meaning of community, the power of community, and her work is magically able to depict it.” It is the latest film since the former President and his wife signed a monumental deal with the streaming service in 2018. They recently produced the Oscar-nominated documentary American Factory and have a number of projects on the way, including a drama series called Bloom set in the world of fashion in postwar New York.

In her tweet announcing the documentary, Obama shared a clip from the film and added, “So little of who I am happened in those eight years,” Obama says of her time as the first lady. “So much more of who I was happened before.” She added, “During this difficult time, I hope you find some inspiration and joy in this film.”

Read Next: Everything New Coming to Netflix in May

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