Wonderland.
7 WONDERS: THE OBAMAS × NETFLIX
We take a closer look at the Obama’s multi-project collaboration with the streaming giant.
What can the Obamas not do? From running a country together to both being Beyoncé‘s best pals, the couple have hardly slacked when it’s come to Obama-related output, and their next venture is no different. Having formed ‘Higher Ground’ (their own production company), it was recently announced that the hottest collab of the year, Obamas x Netflix, would soon launch, the couple having signed a seven-project deal with the streaming giant. The exact details as to what this mysterious deal would entail has been kept largely under wraps, until now, the company announcing the titles and synopses of the filmed projects. From a kids’ series to a Trump takedown, see below for the deets, and decide for yourself which you want to watch first.
American Factory
With the rights having been acquired by the couple’s Higher Ground production company at Sundance earlier this year, this documentary is set in post-industrial Ohio, and explores the opening of a new factory in an abandoned General Motors plant by a Chinese billionaire. The film is set to explore the early days of hope and optimism, and all the setbacks along the way as high-tech China clashes with working-class America. Oscar winners Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert (Seeing Red, A Lion in the House) won Sundance’s Directing Award for the film
Bloom
An upstairs/downstairs drama set in post World War II New york, this series will showcase the obstacles faced by women and PoCs in an era containing both huge barriers and incalculable progress. Written and exec produced by Oscar winner Callie Khouri (of Nashville and Thelma and Louise fame as well as the mind behind the new MGM Aretha Franklin picture), and is being produced by Higher Ground, Khouri, Clement Virgo and Juliana Maio.
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom
Higher Ground will also be producing a feature film adaptation of David W. Blight’s book, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, which won the author the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for in History. The book has been called ambitious and empathetic, and is an introspective reflection of American life.
Overlooked
This scripted anthology series will be adapted from The New York Times’ ongoing obituary column Overlooked, which shares the stories of incredible people who have not had their deaths reported by the newspapers. Developed by Higher Ground, this will be produced by Liza Chasin of 3dot Productions, and Joy Gorman Wettels of Anonymous Content.
Listen to Your Vegetables and Eat Your Parents
This half-hour preschool series from “Drunk History” creator Jeremy Konner and Erika Thormahlen will take young children and their families around the globe on an adventure that tells us the story of our food.
Fifth Risk
This non-fiction series, written by Michael Lewis (the best-selling author of The Big Short and Moneyball) and based on his book The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy, will portray the importance of the work done by people on the inside of the American Government, and their role in protecting and safeguarding the nation. It will also allegedly deal with the incompetence of Donald Trump. Can’t wait.
Crip Camp
Still in production, Crip Camp is another documentary, which will take a look at the lives of those who attended a summer camp for disabled teenagers held just down the road from Woodstock, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film will be directed by former camper Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham. Producers include both of those, with Sara Bolder and exec producer Howard Gertler also involved.