President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s producer Higher Ground Productions has defined a list of new projects in its deal with Netflix.
The new list covers TV and film projects, including a film adaptation of Mohsin Hamid’s critically acclaimed novel “Exit West” and a biopic about Tenzing Norgay, who was the first person to reach Mount Everest’s peak next door. by Sir Edmund Hillary. The company is also preparing a series of documents for the US National Parks and an adaptation of Angeline Boulley’s book series “Firekeeper’s Daughter”
The complete description of all projects can be found below. They are currently in different stages of development, to be launched in the coming years.
“We created Higher Ground to tell great stories,” said the Obamas. “This group of projects is based on that goal and on the incredible path traced by films like ‘Crip Camp’, ‘Becoming’ and the Oscar winner ‘American Factory’. From science fiction to the beauty of our natural world and the relationships that define us, Higher Ground continues to strive for new perspectives, attractive characters and a good dose of inspiration. We couldn’t be more proud to join the brilliant artists behind each of these stories. Each of them has something important to say. “
Higher Ground Productions is co-led by Priya Swaminathan and Tonia Davis, along with Ada Chiaghana and Alex Pitz. The company expects to make additional project announcements in the coming months. Other recently announced projects include the pre-school animation series “Ada Twist, Scientist” and the hybrid comedy series “The G Word with Adam Conover”.
“It was exciting to watch President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and the Higher Ground team dive into the original programming and produce incredible stories,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO and content director at Netflix. “’American’ ‘Factory,’ ‘Crip Camp’ and ‘Becoming’ captivated audiences around the world, and their new list highlights the variety and depth of programming on the horizon, as well as exciting new storytellers.”
Movies
Exit West is a feature film based on the critically acclaimed novel by Mohsin Hamid. A love story set in an epic global migration made possible by a supernatural phenomenon, Exit West is the story of two people looking for a better life together, all the time longing for a home to which they can never return. The New York Times elected the novel as one of the 10 best books of 2017, was selected for the long list of the Booker Prize, and former President of the United States, Barack Obama, considered it one of the best books he read in 2017. The film stars Riz Ahmed (Metal Sound), who will also executive produce through his Left Handed Films banner, and will be directed by Yann Demange (White Boy Rick) and co-produced with Joe Russo, Anthony Russo and Mike Larocca for the Russians’ AGBO.
Satellite is a science fiction feature written by Ola Shokunbi and produced by Kiri Hart and Stephen Feder for Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman’s T Street.
Tenzing is a feature film based on the true story of Tenzing Norgay, the man who first reached the summit of Everest, the highest mountain in the world, along with Sir Edmund Hillary. This is the story of an unsung hero and the unique bond he formed with another stranger who allowed them to make history together. BAFTA nominee Jennifer Peedom (Sherpa), who spent years on Everest, will be the director. Tenzing marks his first foray into narrative cinema. Oscar nominee and BAFTA winner Luke Davies (Lion) wrote the script based on Ed Douglas’ book “Tenzing: Hero of Everest”. Peedom and Davies are producing alongside HGP. David Michôd (The King) and Norbu Tenzing Norgay will serve as executive producers.
The Young Wife is a feature film by writer and director Tayarisha Poe (Selah and the Spades). It follows Celestina, 29, on her first wedding day. Or not a wedding, exactly, but a party. A party where there is movement and Celestina is out of sync. The guests invade; a storm is approaching.
Series
Firekeeper’s Daughter is a series based on the debut novel by Angeline Boulley, due to be released in the spring of 2021 by Henry Holt & Co. The novel is a YA thriller that follows an 18-year-old native girl as she reluctantly disguises herself in a police investigation of your Ojibwe reserve. Mickey Fisher (Reverie, Extant) will act as a showrunner and co-write with Wenonah Wilms (Horsehead Girls), who will also serve as executive producer. Like the author Boulley, Wilms is from the Ojibwe tribe (bands Sault Ste. Marie and Red Cliff, respectively) and will bring his lived experiences to this series.
Great National Parks is a natural history documentary that will explore some of the most wonderful national parks and wilderness on the planet. Highlighting extraordinary species and habitats, the series will illustrate the importance of protecting the world’s remaining forests and making them accessible to everyone. Higher Ground is producing the series with Wild Space Productions and filmmaker James Honeyborne, from the award-winning Blue Planet II series.