SEATTLE — It’s no accident that new movie “Shirley” is coming out in a general election year.
The Netflix film focuses on the historic and improbable presidential run of Shirley Chisholm.
She was the first black woman elected to the United States congress, and in 1972 she also became the first woman - period - to seek the presidential nomination from a major party.
While she ultimately lost the Democratic Party nomination, her candidacy and slogan “Unbought and Unbossed” inspired both women and people of color to get involved and speak up for their rights.
Oscar winner Regina King stars as Chisholm and served as producer alongside her sister Reina (who also appears in the film as Chisholm’s sister Murial). Oscar winner Lucas Hedges plays Chisholm’s national student organizer Robert Gottlieb, and Christina Jackson plays campaign volunteer Barbara Lee, who (decades later) was also elected to congress.
Entertainment reporter Kim Holcomb talked to the cast about making the film.
HOLCOMB: "Was there ever any question that you would play the sisters?"
REINA KING: "Oh yeah, yeah - that was not planned. And then I had to think, (Regina and I) have never been on screen together. And it had been 35 years since I'd been on screen. So I had to re-exercise some muscles that I forgot I had."
HOLCOMB: "Did any of those scenes get real? For two sisters playing two sisters and having the kind of conversations that two sisters have?”
REGINA KING: “They were very emotional at times because it was an emotional space for us… but that helped it be a moment that I believe is truly honest, and a lot of siblings can probably relate to it."
HOLCOMB: “Is it helpful to play real people who you can talk to about the role?”
JACKSON: "Yes, and these were nice roles. It's not like they were serial killers where you're like, 'Do I want to talk to them?' (laughter) No, if they were available, you jump on that."
HEDGES: "I always love it when there's a real person. It grounds it. And reality's usually much more interesting than anything I can come up with. (Robert Gottlieb) made my job easier."
HOLCOMB: “How do you most relate to Shirley?”
REGINA KING: "Her reasoning for all of the choices that she made was because she truly believed and wanted to make change for people, for human beings. For our government to create space for us to thrive, and not just survive. Where I relate to that with myself is that I did not choose to express my art in this art form to be a celebrity or win awards. It's because I like to feel, and I like to make other people feel. And if I can portray a character, or through this art form, create a moment where people can meet, then I've succeeded."
REINA KING: "Well said, sister.”
REGINA KING: “Thank you! (laughter)"
HOLCOMB: "Did working on this film and then looking at this election year make you feel like there is hope, or does it make you feel like, 'How are we still working on these same things that we were working on in 1972?'"
JACKSON: "I think both. You have this feeling of, 'No, we can't just feel safe in what it was that has always been,’ because things are quickly being taken away from us. I do think that in watching this film, a lot of people will learn a little bit of American history and women's history and Black history. But it's also meant to come out in this time to push and illuminate and elevate the way that people think of their participation in this country, right now."
HEDGES: "I also think Shirley didn't wait for hope. I think that's part of the power of this story. Stop worrying so much about what's out of your control. If you want to make a difference, make a difference. Be the change to want to see."
“Shirley” debuts on Netflix March 22.
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