America, first met Michelle Obama as the wife of Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and then as First Lady. Over the next eight years she became one of the most admired First Lady’s in history. This biographical documentary explores who Michelle Obama was before that time and who she has become more recently. Michelle Obama: Life after the White House is a well-made insightful story written, directed and edited by Jordan Hill, about Michelle Robinson Obama growing up in South Chicago, her education at Princeton and Harvard Law School, her law career and ultimately her meeting Barack Obama. Followed by life in the White House and life afterward. Why today she remains extremely popular and well regarded for her achievements.
Documentary film biographies may take a number of forms. Michelle Obama: Life after the White House looks at her public persona and her transition from private life to public. The documentary appears to be drawn, in part, from Michelle Obama’s book Becoming Michelle Obama. The film, like the book looks at Michelle Obama’s roots, how she found her voice and her role as a Mother and First Lady. Becoming was published in 24 languages. It was the highest selling book published in the United States in 2018. One million copies were donated to First Book an organization that provides books to children.
The documentary film Michelle Obama: Life after the White House uses past and more recent interviews with her and others. Also, public and televised appearances of Michele Obama, commentary by a number of people including journalist Ashley Pearson and Professor Natasha Lindstaedt. There is extensive use of archival photographs dating back to Michelle’s youth. She talks about the major influence of her parents and family on her and her life. How her parents encouraged her to find her path though education. Now a mother herself Michelle Obama carries on the tradition with her daughters.
Michelle Obama’s parents and extended family are middle and working-class people who passed on the value of education and work ethics. The film explores her dedication and motivations for her progress and life choices. This includes her meeting and ultimately marrying Barack Obama. At the time she was a lawyer working for a top Chicago law firm, where Obama was hired after graduating from Harvard law school himself. The film looks at how their relationship developed. Michelle is wife, friend and trusted advisor.
The documentary discovers how Michelle had to make some adjustments to her public image as the Presidential candidate’s wife and later as First Lady. It is interesting because the film shows that this transition was mostly Michelle becoming herself, educated, warm, funny at times, and sincere. Michele’s warmth and friendliness is demonstrated in one instance when even though no one is supposed to touch the Queen of England, the Queen welcomed Michelle putting her arm around her. The queen responded by reaching around to hold Michelle. Later she invited Michelle to share her car, even thought that also is taboo.
There is a good blend of interviews, photographs, and action used to tell the story. Two key commentators help narrate the story along with others who have come to know Michelle Obama. Editing is well paced.The documentary makes use of archival family photographs and other photographs to help tell the story. Also, some footage of Barrack and Michelle Obama, including his speaking at an event about Michelle that is quite moving. Michelle Obama: Life after the White House is an interesting, entertaining and uplifting, biographical documentary about a person, a confident woman who is inspirational to all, but in particular to young women who can look to Michelle Obama as a role model in their lives.
Trailer
Michelle Obama: Life After The White House.
Legacy Distribution
As featured in Michelle Obama Should Feature In Everyone’s 2021 Vision Board And Here’s 10 Reasons Why! on Buzzfeed
Legacy Distribution Synopsis: “Former First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA’S story has just begun. The Obama’s have remained quite busy with their new life of activism which includes their issue-oriented production company, Higher Ground, which won an Oscar for Best Documentary in 2020. Mrs. Obama’s autobiography, Becoming, has become the best-selling memoir of all time and even won a Grammy following the publication of her book. Get lost in the incredible journey of this modern-day First Lady’s story in the making.”
The feature-length biography is now widely available, including Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/2XqTne5
Documentary Review by James R (Jim) Martin
James R (Jim) Martin is an Emmy, award winning producer, writer, director of film, television, video, multimedia and digital media productions. He has lectured on documentary subjects internationally. Most recently in several universities and forums in China. He directed the documentary filmmaking course at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. He has taught directing at University of Central Florida and Film Production at Columbia College in Chicago.
Author: Create Documentary Films, Videos and Multimedia – Third Edition 2014, Actuality Interviewing and Listening – 2017, Listen Learn Share, 2018, Documentary Directing and Storytelling, 2019. Editing Documentary and Fiction, to be published soon.
Directing Credits include two Emmy nominations and an Emmy Award for PBS documentary – Fired-up Public Housing is My Home. The Chicago Film Festival Golden Plaque for Best Network Documentary for Emmy nominee, Wrapped In Steel, also seen nationally on PBS stations. Telly Award 2018, JP’s Wish documentary, Make-a-Wish Foundation.
