Exclusive: The Unbelievable Story Behind Barack Obama's Contributions to Julia Roberts & Ethan Hawke's New Netflix Movie

Summary

Former President Obama provided script notes for Netflix's movie Leave The World Behind, using his expertise in crisis management to ground the apocalyptic thriller in reality.

In addition to Leave The World Behind, Obama has ventured into the film industry by establishing Higher Ground Productions alongside his wife Michelle. The production company has successfully produced acclaimed documentaries such as American Factory and Becoming.

Obama's remarkable achievements in the movie realm have fostered great anticipation for Leave The World Behind, ensuring a captivating and excellently executed film.

Former US President Barack Obama provided script notes for the upcoming Netflix film Leave The World Behind, based on Rumaan Alam's novel of the same name. This psychological thriller centers around Clay and Amanda Sandford, a couple who embark on a vacation before a mysterious apocalypse occurs. The star-studded cast includes Academy Award winners Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts, along with Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon, Myha'la Herrold, and Charlie Evans. In an interview with Vanity Fair, writer, producer, and director Sam Esmail reveals that Obama's expertise in crisis management was invaluable in developing the script, as he provided insights on how events might unfold realistically. Esmail also notes that Obama's passion for film motivated him to ensure the movie's success.

“In the original drafts of the script, I definitely pushed the boundaries much further than what ended up in the film. President Obama, with his extensive experience, helped ground me by offering insights into how events could realistically unfold. While I am primarily crafting a work of fiction, my goal is to maintain a strong sense of authenticity, even if I am amplifying and intensifying certain aspects. When an ex-president tells you that you've missed a few details, it can be quite unnerving. I had thought my deviations were far greater! It was unsettling to hear his feedback, especially considering he had a wealth of insights on the characters and the emotional connection we should cultivate. I must admit, he is a true cinephile, and his notes extended beyond his personal experiences—they reflected his passion as a fan of the book, longing for a truly exceptional film.”

Barack Obama’s Involvement In Movies Is Not Limited To Leave The World Behind

After leaving office as the President of the United States in January 2017, Obama has been involved in various ventures, with a notable focus on film production. At the age of 62, Obama, along with his wife Michelle Obama, established a production company called Higher Ground Productions in 2018. It was during the same year that they entered into a multi-year agreement with the streaming giant Netflix to create docu-series, documentaries, and feature films.

The production company's debut film, American Factory, is a 2019 documentary that chronicles a Chinese corporation's investment in American manufacturing. The film takes place on a site where workers previously laid off by General Motors are employed. American Factory received wide acclaim for its extensive and empathetic approach and went on to win the Best Documentary Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards. In the following year, the production company released Becoming, a documentary based on Michelle Obama's bestselling memoir of the same name. This documentary earned a nomination for the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special award at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.

In addition to these previous works, Obama has collaborated on various shows and documentaries such as We the People, The G Word With Adam Conover, and Our Great National Parks. For his narration in the latter, he received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator. With an impressive track record in filmmaking, it is anticipated that Leave The World Behind, a highly anticipated thriller set to be released in the fall of 2023, will continue Obama's success.

Source: Vanity Fair