Shirley

'Shirley' is an American biographical drama written and directed by John Ridley. The film is produced and starred by Regina King, who plays Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress. It premiered in theaters on March 15, 2024, one week before making the leap to the streaming platform Netflix, where it debuted worldwide on March 22 of that same year.

Specifically, 'Shirley' tells how in the year 1972, after being elected the first black congresswoman in 1968, Shirley Chisholm unsuccessfully attempts to become the first person of color to be a presidential candidate of the United States for the Democratic Party. She suffered significant racist attacks and was even prevented from participating in political debates on television.

Finally, although her candidacy was rejected after securing only 10% of the delegates, she managed to break down significant political and social barriers, thereby paving the way for dozens of women who would follow in her footsteps.

'Shirley' is produced by Regina King and her sister Reina King, who play Shirley Chisholm and her sister Muriel. The film is also one of the last works of the actor Lance Reddick, who passed away in March 2023. Along with them, the cast is completed by Terrence Howard, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Michael Cherrie, and Christina Jackson, among others.