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The Obamas get a Netflix deal: What to expect from the new producers

On Tuesday, Barack and Michelle announced that their newly found production company, Higher Ground Productions, have seven projects in the works for Netflix.

The former President and First Lady initially inked a multiyear production deal in 2018 to produce shows and films for the streaming service. But it’s just coming into fruition now.

The deal stipulates that the Obamas reach span to 148 million paying subscribers. Plus, their production company cover a wide spectrum of programming.

Although expansive, the New York Times reported that they have no interest in engaging in America’s newest favorite pastime — bashing Trump. They’d rather focus on cultural enrichment. Mr. Obama said in a statement,

“Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights and much more, we believe each of these productions won’t just entertain, but will educate, connect and inspire us all.”

Higher Ground Productions currently has seven projects that are in the works for Netflix. The production company plans on releasing a post-World War II drama series entitled Bloom as well as a biopic adapted from the Pulitzer-winning Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, by David W. Blight.

The slate also includes the documentary Overlooked, based on the NYT series that post obituaries of people whose deaths were previously reported in the newspaper. And for the kids, they’re introducing a half-hour preschool series entitled, Listen to Your Vegetables & Eat Your Parents.

Knowing the Obamas, these programs are most likely going to be full of gems that we all need to hear. The official release date has not announced, but until then peep the full slate below:

“American Factory,” a documentary that examines life in Ohio where a Chinese billionaire opened a factory in a former General Motors plant and hired 2,000 people. Higher Ground Productions described the film, produced by Participant Media and directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, as “early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America.” The documentary was already shown at the Sundance Film Festival, and Higher Ground Productions said it would be its first release.

“Bloom,” a drama series set in post-World War II New York that will explore the “barriers faced by women and by people of color in an era marked by hurdles but also tremendous progress.” It will be produced by Callie Khouri, who wrote “Thelma & Louise.”

A film adaptation of “Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography by David W. Blight. Higher Ground did not announce a screenwriter or any producers.

An adaptation of a New York Times series, called “Overlooked,”about people whose deaths were previously not reported by the newspaper. The obituaries have been published in a recurring feature in the paper. Higher Ground Productions said it would be a scripted anthology series.

A series based on “The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy,” a book by Michael Lewis.

“Crip Camp,” a documentary film about the origins of the disability rights movement.

“Listen to Your Vegetables & Eat Your Parents,” a half-hour series for preschoolers that will “take young children and their families around the globe on an adventure that tells us the story of our food.”