When Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming, was released in 2018, it broke U.S. book-sales records in just 15 days. The book is a deeply personal account of Obama’s upbringing on the South Side of Chicago, her time in the White House as the first black First Lady, and her marriage to Barack Obama.
The book’s release was followed by a massive national book tour, which saw Michelle Obama selling out Beyoncé-concert-size arenas — with tickets almost as difficult to land — and also marked some iconic fashion moments for the former First Lady. Her Becoming book tour is now the subject of a new film by veteran documentary cinematographer Nadia Hallgren (After Maria). The documentary will be produced as a partnership between Big Mouth and Higher Ground Productions, the latter of which was founded by Barack and Michelle Obama in 2018 and is affiliated exclusively with Netflix.
According to a press release, the Becoming documentary “offers a rare and up-close look at [Michelle Obama’s] life, taking viewers behind the scenes as she embarks on a 34-city tour that highlights the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories.”
In a note to the press, Michelle Obama says, “Those months I spent traveling — meeting and connecting with people in cities across the globe — drove home the idea that what we share in common is deep and real and can’t be messed with.” Becoming will debut May 6 on Netflix:
