Obamas reveal Netflix content
May 1, 2019
Former US President Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle, have revealed their first slate of content for the Netflix platform.
The former first couple announced a content deal with the streaming giant in May of last year to produce a raft of shows and films under their production company Higher Ground, and have now unveiled seven varied projects.
At this year’s Sundance film festival, the former first couple acquired the acclaimed documentary American Factory which takes a look at what happens when a Chinese billionaire opens a factory in Ohio.
The Obamas are also set to work with Moneyball and The Big Short author Michael Lewis on a documentary series based on his book The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy. The show will reportedly “aim to portray the importance of unheralded work done by everyday heroes guiding our government and safeguarding our nation”.
Other projects include a feature film biopic of the abolitionist Frederick Douglass, based on David W Blight’s Pulitzer-winning book, a pre-school series called Listen to Your Vegetables and Eat Your Parents about food, a scripted anthology series based on the New York Times column Overlooked and a drama series called Bloom set in the world of fashion in 1940s New York.
“We love this slate because it spans so many different interests and experiences, yet it’s all woven together with stories that are relevant to our daily lives,” commented Michelle Obama. “We think there’s something here for everyone – moms and dads, curious kids, and anyone simply looking for an engaging, uplifting watch at the end of a busy day. We can’t wait to see these projects come to life – and the conversations they’ll generate.”