THE TT Film Company Ltd (FilmTT) has congratulated actor Michael Cherrie on his role in the Netflix film, Shirley.
FilmTT said Cherrie's talent and dedication have not only brought pride to the nation but have also showcased the immense potential of the local film industry on the global stage.
Shirley, a Netflix original film, is set to premiere on March 22 and tells the story of the first black Congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, and her trailblazing run for president. It chronicles her audacious, boundary-breaking 1972 presidential campaign, a media release said.
Cherrie appears alongside Hollywood Oscar-winning Regina King, who stars as Shirley Chisholm.
Cherrie portrays Chisholm’s husband Conrad O Chisholm in the film produced by Participant and Regina King’s Royal Ties Productions.
Shirley also stars Lucas Hedges, the late Lance Reddick, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Dorian Crossmond Missick, Amirah Vann, W Earl Brown, Brad James with André Holland and Terrence Howard.
[caption id="attachment_1071371" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Michael Cherrie, left, in a scene from Netflix's Shirley which begins streaming on March 22. -[/caption]
Shirley is the intimate portrayal of trailblazing political icon Shirley Chisholm, who was born to a Barbadian family and was the first black Congresswoman and the first black woman to run for President of the US.
This film tells the story of Chisholm's boundary-breaking and historic presidential campaign, based on exclusive and extensive conversations with family, friends and those who knew her best.
The film is written and directed by Academy Award winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Guerrilla, Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992).
Commenting on Shirley Cherrie said in the release, “I am absolutely thrilled for the release of the Netflix historical biopic Shirley, which has been a ten-plus-year labour of love for its shining star and producer Regina King. "This is an important piece of historical storytelling told through cinema that promises to entertain, educate and inspire. It is a story of possibility and 'faith in the fight' to the very end.
"Shirley Chisholm's work and campaign for the Democratic nomination of the 1972 presidential elections opened the political door to women and people of colour in the US. It was such an honour to be invited to work on this.”
He thanked many people, including his film, television and theatre colleagues both here and abroad, and his family for all their support – especially his courageous mother, Monica Cherrie.
“And most importantly, I thank my managers – Simon Baptiste, Carolyn Pasea-Pogson and Dayana Echegaray of Question Mark Entertainment and the ODOS (One Degree of Separation) family for the doors they have opened and continue to open to artists and creatives, and for the support and commitment to artists' careers, work and lives they have tirelessly shown and continue to show. And my deepest thanks to God for all His gifts and blessings!” he said.
From the stage to the big screen, Cherrie ha
