Rustin special screening: Barack Obama makes a special appearance; gives big shout out to SAG-AFTRA

Netflix's latest movie Rustin had a special screening, which is the biopic of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in Washington, D.C.

A still of Barack Obama from the screening of Rustin

Rustin worked with A. Philip Randolph on the March on Washington Movement, in 1941, to press for an end to racial discrimination in employment. Rustin later organised Freedom Rides, and helped to organise the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to strengthen Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership and teach King about nonviolence; he later served as an organiser for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

About the movie Rustin

The movie Rustin was released on November 3, 2023. It shows how the activist dedicates his life to the quest for racial equality, human rights and worldwide democracy. However, as an openly gay Black man, he is all but erased from the civil rights movement he helped build.

Barack Obama being special guest

Former US president Barack Obama made his special appearance at the screening with his wife and first lady, Michelle Obama. On Friday, Obama told the press conference that he's glad to see everyone attending the screening after the SAG-AFTRA strike over in Washington, D.C.

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“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", Obama said.

Where was the screening held?

The screening took place at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and was one of the opening night events for the inaugural HBCU First Look Film Festival, which started from November 10 till November 12. The festival celebrates Black filmmakers and attracts HBCU students and graduates to hear from Black creatives in the entertainment industry.

Michelle Obama applauds

Besides Barack, Michelle also joined her husband and gave a big shout out while saying, “I hope we all know about the March on Washington, we know about the huge crowds, the historic speeches, but the story of what went on behind the scenes is a little more hazy. We don’t know much about the folks who did the hard work. Bayard Rustin was the driving force behind all of that.”

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