Charles Booker documentary, produced by actress Alyssa Milano, opens Friday

Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
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Two-time U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker is the focus of a documentary about his original 2020 run for Congress that opens in select theaters Friday and was executive-produced by actors Alyssa Milano and Michael Shannon.

Milano is known for TV shows like "Charmed" and "Who's the Boss?", as well as her efforts as a Democratic activist. Shannon is an Academy Award-nominated actor who's originally from Lexington.

The new film is named after Booker's signature slogan, "From the Hood to the Holler." His memoir, which came out in April, shares the same name. (His advocacy group is likewise called "Hood to the Holler.")

Actress Alyssa Milano arrives to speak at an protest outside the White House, Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Washington. This is the second day in a row the group has held a protest following President Donald Trump's meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ORG XMIT: DCAH128
Actress Alyssa Milano arrives to speak at an protest outside the White House, Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Washington. This is the second day in a row the group has held a protest following President Donald Trump's meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ORG XMIT: DCAH128

Booker's motto is meant to signify the common bonds and shared struggles of Kentuckians from rural and urban areas. He used it in his unsuccessful bid to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell two years ago, as well as in his current campaign to defeat RepublicanSen. Rand Paul in November.

More:Here's how Charles Booker can beat Rand Paul

He narrowly lost the 2020 Democratic primary to Amy McGrath, a fundraising powerhouse who was the frontrunner in that race. (McConnell drubbed McGrath in that fall's election.)

Booker got national attention and an unexpected surge of support in the primary's final weeks, though, as he joined Louisville's historic racial justice protests denouncing the police killing of Breonna Taylor and the broader, long-lasting pattern of police violence against Black Americans.

The new documentary tells the story of that campaign and has won awards at several film festivals, per a news release. It's opening Friday in Los Angeles, New York City and select theaters. It will be available on digital platforms Sept. 30.

There also will be two guests-only screenings in Louisville on Thursday, which aren't open to the public.

Morgan Watkins is The Courier Journal's chief political reporter. Contact her at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rand Paul challenger Charles Booker has documentary set to open