Michelle Obama’s New Netflix Documentary: Everything We Know So Far

Days after announcing a new weekly reading series for kids, Michelle Obama is making more news, and it’s deeply personal: a Netflix documentary about her life outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is arriving soon.

The documentary is called Becoming, after the record-shattering memoir she released in late 2018. According to Netflix, the film is “an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama…as she embarks on a 34-city [book] tour that highlights the power of community.” Check out the trailer below:

In a new note, Michelle Obama wrote that she’s holding onto her sense of community now more than ever. “I treasure the memories and that sense of connection…as we struggle together to weather this pandemic, as we care for our loved ones, tend to our communities, and try to keep up with work and school while coping with huge amounts of loss, confusion, and uncertainty,” she said.

She added that it’s hard to feel optimistic right now but hopes viewers will find some joy and even relief in watching the film, directed by Nadia Hallgren.

“As many of you know, I’m a hugger,” she continued in the note. “My whole life, I’ve seen it as the most natural and equalizing gesture one human can make toward another—the easiest way of saying, ‘I’m here for you.’ And this is one of the toughest parts of our new reality: Things that once felt simple—going to see a friend, sitting with someone who is hurting, embracing someone new—are now not simple at all.”

She wrote further in the message, “Even as many of us are living with grief, loneliness, and fear, we need to stay open and…put ourselves in other people’s shoes. Empathy is our lifeline here. It’s what will get us to the other side. Let’s use it to redirect our attention toward what matters most, reconsider our priorities, and find ways to better remake the world in the image of our hopes.”

In closing, Obama echoed elements of Queen Elizabeth’s recent televised speech, noting that, “Especially in hard times, our stories help cement our values and strengthen our connections. Sharing them shows us the way forward. I love and miss you all.”

Becoming premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, May 6.

Originally Appeared on Glamour