In the first full trailer for “Barry,” a young Barack Obama tries to figure out how he, a bi-racial man, fits into the grand scheme of the American Dream.
The film follows a young Obama (played by Devon Terrell), known to his friends as Barry, as he arrives in New York City in the fall of 1981 to begin his junior year at Columbia University.
In a crime-ridden and racially charged environment, Barry finds himself pulled between various social spheres and struggles to maintain a series of increasingly strained relationships with his Kansas-born mother, his estranged Kenyan father, and his classmates.
The cast also includes Ashley Judd, Jenna Elfman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ellar Coltrane, and Avi Nash. Vikram Gandhi, himself a Columbia University alumnus, directed the film, with fellow alum Adam Mansbach writing the script.
“Barry” was produced by Black Bear Pictures and Cinetic Media. Dana O’Keefe, Teddy Schwarzman, Ben Stillman, and Gandhi produced the film. Daniel Steinman executive produced.
Netflix acquired the worldwide rights to the film after it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Southside With You,” another film about young Obama, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It followed his first date with first lady Michelle Obama.
“Barry” will premiere on Netflix on Dec. 16