CNN Pundit Debuting Documentary About ‘Underdog’ Kamala Harris

CNN's Bakari Sellers has been working on a flattering documentary about the Democratic presidential nominee, expected to hit theaters just ahead of the election. Based on the timing and what the producer and co-directors have said to the press, it seems that this will be a puff piece designed to help her ahead of the election.

Breitbart News reports:

Kamala is expected to open some time in October before becoming available for streaming, also prior to the November 5 election, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. The short-form doc charts Harris' political journey and her alleged “humanity,” featuring interviews with celebrities, family members, friends, and politicians.

In a statement to The Hollywoord Reporter, co-director Gerard Pizarro said, “This film is about more than Kamala's political journey — it's about her humanity. It's about the joyous warrior she is, fighting for the well-being of all people. As an underdog and new filmmaker myself, I'm honored to tell the story of another underdog — a Black and Indian woman who has broken barriers and inspired millions.”

The Hollywood Reporter explains:

Bada Bing Pictures is handling distribution for the short film that hails from Illumin8 Entertainment and Pizarro Creative. Among the producers is CNN analyst Bakari Sellers, who was once the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and is friends with Harris. First-time directors Zakir and Pizarro are producing the short with Wendy Pizarro.

Zakir is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who is the CEO and co-founder of Illumin8 Entertainment, which is behind projects focusing on mental health and holistic wellness. Gerard Pizarro is an advocate for social justice and a former trial lawyer who founded Pizarro Creative in part to focus on stories from underrepresented communities. Wendy Pizarro has also worked as an attorney and is a leader in health and wellness innovation.

The exact release date and theater circulation have yet to be announced.

This won't be the first film released in 2024 with the apparent intent of helping the Democrats and hurting the Republicans ahead of the election. Earlier this year, Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi released The Apprentice, a definitively anti-Trump biopic offering a dark portrayal of his life in New York City, prompting threats of legal action from his campaign.

The Trump campaign's chief spokesperson Steven Cheung described it as “pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day, and doesn't even deserve a place in the straight-to-DVD section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a dumpster fire.”

It garnered mixed reviews even among stereotypically left wing film critics. IndieWire's David Ehrlich didn't pull any punches.

“Clipped from the start and increasingly uncertain of its purpose as it fumbles toward the Trump we know, this origin story certainly isn't as painful to watch as the future that it portends has been to endure, but it's every bit as banal and unnecessary.”