First Feature Film About Rosa Parks Is In The Works

In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger after the whites-only section was filled. Although Parks was not the first to resist to bus segregation, Parks’ refusal sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which became one of many important moments in history, as part of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Now, over 60 years later, Parks’ historical contribution to the movement will be memorialized in a feature film – the first about Parks to hit theaters in the U.S. 

According to Deadline, the film, entitled, “Rosa,” will “chronicle the first 24-hours as they unfold after the arrest of Parks on December 1, 1955,” when she refused to give up her seat. The project will also reportedly highlight Parks’ contributions to the civil rights movement before and after the bus incident. 

“Rosa” will be scripted by Hamid Torabpour and Charlie Kessler, who also created the concept of the film. The two will be working alongside Kerry Orent, who is producing the project with consulting producer, Jeanne Theoharis, author of “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.”

”While most Americans have heard of Rosa Parks, the details of what happened on the night she was arrested, and her lifetime of political courage and activism, are largely unknown,” Theoharis said in a statement. “The real story of Rosa Parks is far different, and even more inspiring and relevant for our times than the tale most children learn in school.” 

“We are honored to be working alongside Professor Theoharis. Rosa Parks is an inspiration, and our goal is to be able to use this project to raise awareness for the Rosa and Raymond Park Institute for Self Development. Ms. Parks did not have any children, so her institute is her legacy,” Kessler added.

Production is set to begin in 2019