![]() ![]() ![]() There have been National Medal of Arts ceremonies and countless concerts. Since President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama moved into the White House nearly eight years ago, they have connected with the American people by celebrating the nation’s culture. That first date, of course, put them on a historic path. They also pause before another painting, “The Sugar Shack,” which appeared in the opening credits of “Good Times” and also on a 1976 Marvin Gaye album cover. Nonetheless, she is drawn to the work and says a particular painting “Room Full A’Sistahs” reminds her of her family’s house on Sundays. Michelle says she never watched the program. The future first black President explains to the future first black First Lady that paintings by Barnes appeared on “Good Times,” the 1970s TV show. Sparking a conversation about culture and prompting each to share details about their lives. Indeed, the scene at the exhibition is a pivotal one. In the film “Westside With You,” Parker Sawyers (Barack) and Tika Sumpter (Michelle) view the painting “The Sugar Shack” by Ernie Barnes. “I just became so enamored again with Ernie Barnes’s art because he covered such a broad spectrum of life in America, and of black life in America.” - Richard Tanne, Writer/Director of “Southside With You” “It just seemed like there could really be a lot of artwork to get them talking to each other.” “I just became so enamored again with Ernie Barnes’s art because he covered such a broad spectrum of life in America, and of black life in America,” Tanne told. Tanne improvised, introducing the work of Los Angeles-based Barnes, a former professional football player. The museum’s summer 1989 schedule included an Andy Warhol retrospective, but there is no mention of an African American art exhibition. The Obamas have said they went to the Art Institute of Chicago, but Tanne didn’t know what they saw when they got there. He took artistic license with the art exhibition, too. “But it made sense dramatically, so I put it in the movie,” the writer/director told Chicago magazine. The overarching story is factual, but Tanne manufactured the dialogue and filled in other details to create a compelling narrative.īarack took Michelle to a community meeting, for example, but Tanne believes this occurred later in their relationship. The movie is based on public information about how the Obamas met, from news articles and interviews they have conducted describing their first date, a daylong adventure that started with the museum visit, which led to lunch, going to see Spike Lee’s movie “Do the Right Thing,” and then on the way home, they stopped for ice cream at the Baskin-Robbins in Hyde Park, where they kissed for the first time. He picks her up, announces the meeting is scheduled to start later in the afternoon, and suggests they go to the museum to fill the time. She is reluctant to spend time with him outside of the office, so rather than ask her out on a date, he invites her to a community meeting. Set in 1989, Michelle is a young attorney at a Chicago law firm where Barack is a summer associate. Nominated for a Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival, “Southside with You” was written and directed by Richard Tanne and John Legend served as one of the executive producers. There they view an exhibition that features paintings by Ernie Barnes (1938-2009), representational works reflecting the African American experience with lithe figures dancing, shooting pool, and playing basketball. “Southside With You,” a new film about the first couple’s first date, includes a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. A VISIT TO A MUSEUM, helped Barack Obama win Michelle Robinson’s heart. ![]()
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