Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate Oscar win for production company's first film, 'American Factory'

Kerry Justich
·Health and Wellness Staff Writer
Updated ·2 min read

Barack and Michelle Obama are celebrating an Oscar win for their production company’s first film.

The film American Factory was released under the Obamas’ producing deal with Netflix in August 2019. Now, it’s receiving widespread recognition after co-directors Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar and producer Jeff Reichert took home the award on Sunday night for Best Documentary. And the Obamas are celebrating the big win.

In Barack’s congratulations to the two directors, he called the film “complex” and “moving.”

“Glad to see two talented and downright good people take home the Oscar for Higher Ground’s first release,” he wrote.

Michelle quickly followed up her husband’s sentiments with a message to the film’s entire crew.

”So glad to see their heart and honesty recognized—because the best stories are rarely tidy or perfect,” the former first lady tweeted. “But that’s where the truth so often lies.”

The winning moment was especially meaningful for director Julia, who is currently battling terminal cancer at 73 years old.

“I'll be real honest, it would be extremely meaningful after four nominations and my age and my state of life. It would be very meaningful,” she told The Hollywood Reporter after learning about the Oscar nomination. “There's no cure for what I have. And it could be six months, a year, or more.”

Get your printable Oscars ballot here.

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