The life of Assata Shakur, the late political activist and one of the most controversial figures in American history, is heading to screens in a bold new way. Known for her ties to the Black Liberation Army and a decades-long manhunt following her 1979 prison escape, Shakur will be the focus of both a documentary and a scripted project from filmmaking siblings Giselle and Stephen Bailey.
Shakur passed away on September 25 in Havana, Cuba, at 78, where she lived under political asylum. Now, with full approval from her daughter, Kakuya Shakur, her story will be retold with depth and precision through Indigo Films, the Baileys’ production company.
“Assata’s story is important to all Americans as it reveals the powers that divide us and our capacity to heal,” the Baileys said in a joint statement.
The documentary boasts a powerhouse team. Civil rights attorney Lennox Hinds, who represented Shakur, has granted the filmmakers exclusive access. Angela Davis, a longtime political activist and scholar, joins as executive producer. The project is backed by notable organizations such as Sundance Institute, Firelight Media, and Chicken & Egg Films, with support from Netflix’s creative equity fund.
The Baileys, both acclaimed for their socially conscious storytelling, have worked on HBO’s “Seen & Heard” and Netflix’s “Ladies First.” With this new project, they aim to bring clarity to a story that has sparked debate for decades.
Shakur’s legacy is finally getting the lens it deserves.
