Starz Acquires Tommie Smith Doc

Starz has exclusively acquired With Drawn Arms, a new documentary about the legacy of Olympian Tommie Smith.

Smith, after winning a gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics, stunned the world by thrusting his fist in the air during the playing of the national anthem in silent protest against racial inequality. With Drawn Arms follows Smith as he looks back at the iconic moment that helped define a movement and provided a symbol of hope and solidarity for marginalized groups throughout America. The doc is slated to air on Starz on November 2 and will be available for download or streaming via the Starz app.

With Drawn Arms features interviews with prominent activists including actor Jesse Williams, sports analyst Jemele Hill, soccer gold medalist Megan Rapinoe and the late Congressman John Lewis. It is directed by Kaino and Shahidi, with John Legend and Jesse Williams serving as executive producers alongside Glen Zipper and Sean Stuart.

Co-directors Glenn Kaino and Afshin Shahidi said: “This film has been in the making for eight years. We’re thrilled to work with Starz to ensure that Tommie’s message is heard nationwide, at such an urgent juncture in history.”