The Obamas’ ‘American Factory’ Wins Its First Oscar

Contributed by Rebecca Johnson

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama‘s production company, Higher Ground, won its first Academy Award.

Their Netflix documentary, “American Factory,” won the award for best documentary at the Oscars. Netflix’s description reads:

“When a Chinese billionaire re-opens a factory and hires two thousand blue-collar Americans, early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America.”

The couple did not attend the ceremony but sent their congratulations to the filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, who accepted the award, via Twitter.

“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,” said Michelle Obama.

Congrats to Julia, Steven, and the whole crew on winning Best Documentary for #AmericanFactory, Higher Ground’s first release! 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. https://t.co/qtdNEw9H3f

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) February 10, 2020

“Congrats to Julia and Steven, the filmmakers behind American Factory, for telling such a complex, moving story about the very human consequences of wrenching economic change,” tweeted the former POTUS.

Congrats to Julia and Steven, the filmmakers behind American Factory, for telling such a complex, moving story about the very human consequences of wrenching economic change. Glad to see two talented and downright good people take home the Oscar for Higher Ground’s first release. https://t.co/W4AZ68iWoY

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 10, 2020

Watch the trailer down below and watch the full documentary on Netflix.