I’m pretty much convinced that there’s nothing The Obamas couldn’t do if they really put their mind to it, and apparently, that list includes producing movies.
In 2018, Netflix announced a partnership with Barack and Michelle Obama.
The Obamas, under their newly founded production company Higher Ground Production, agreed to a multi-year deal to produce films and series for the streaming service.
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The first film they produced was 2019’s ‘American Factory.’
The film, which focuses on a culture clash in a factory in Ohio, was nominated for and won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature after beating The Cave, The Edge of Democracy, For Same and Honeyland in its category.
The former President had previously reacted to the nomination.
“Oscar nominations came out today and I’m glad to see ‘American Factory’s’ nod for Best Documentary,” Barack said on Instagram.
“This is exactly what Michelle and I hope to achieve through Higher Ground.”
“I like this film for its nuanced, honest portrayal of the way a changing global economy plays out in real lives. It offers a window into people as they actually are and it’s the kind of story we don’t see often enough,” he said.
Michelle also offered her congratulations for the nominations.
“What Julia and Steve capture on film is at times painful, at times exhilarating, but always thoughtful and always real — exactly the kind of story Barack and I wanted to lift up with Higher Ground Productions,” she shared on Instagram.
Barack has tweeted a congratulations to the filmmakers.
Barack noted that the film told “such a complex, moving story about the very human consequences of wrenching economic change,” and congratulated them for taking home the Oscar for their company’s first release.
Michelle also expressed her congratulations on Twitter.
Michelle noted that she was “so glad to see their heart and honesty recognized—because the best stories are rarely tidy or perfect. But that’s where the truth so often lies.”
The Obamas have long since been very vocal about their passion for popular culture, including cinema.
Barack shares his list of favorite books, movies, and music every year , often bringing national attention to works that he feels deserves it.
Michelle has also been very active in producing cultural content, with her memoir “Becoming” being the bestselling book of 2018.
Not only that, but Michelle’s audiobook version of Becoming ended up winning the former First Lady her very own Grammy award.
Congratulations to the filmmakers and to the former first family!
