July 14--Filming began today in Chicago on "Southside With You," an indie described as a "dramedy inspired by Barack and Michelle Obama's first date," and the movie's producers have released photos from that first day on the set.
Actress Tika Sumpter plays the former Michelle Robinson opposite Parker Sawyers' Barack Obama.
Set in 1989, when both Obamas were working as lawyers, the film covers a single day that "took them from the Art Institute of Chicago to a screening of Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' to the site of their first kiss outside of an ice cream parlor" in Hyde Park.
Richard Tanne is the writer-director on the project, which was developed with Sumpter, whose credits include 2014's "Ride Along" with Kevin Kart; Parker's resume includes "Zero Dark Thirty" and Oliver Stone's upcoming Edward Snowden pic "Snowden."
A Chicago native is producing: Columbia College alum Robert Teitel (best known for the "Barbershop" franchise). Filming will take place in locations downtown as well as in neighborhoods on the South and West sides through the end of July, according to Rich Moskal of the Chicago Film Office.
Barack first wrote about his date with Michelle in his memoir "The Audacity of Hope" from 2006. The pair met at the Chicago law firm Sidley Austin, where Robinson was his boss. It took some convincing until she finally agreed to the date. They eventually married in 1992.
Also currently filming in town is the indie "Operator," a story of technology and romantic relationships starring Mae Whitman and Martin Starr, which I reported on earlier. (Go here to read more.)
Joe Swanberg is rumored to be at work on his latest indie in the city with collaborator Jake Johnson ("New Girl"), and last week Spike Lee wrapped filming on "Chir-raq," which had been filming in the city for five weeks. I got an exclusive on-set visit; go here to read more.
nmetz@tribpub.com
