Malia Obama, the daughter of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, has ventured into the world of filmmaking, debuting her short film “The Heart” at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
The former first daughter, who wrote and directed the film, made a notable appearance on the festival’s red carpet to introduce her project.
In a “meet the artist” clip from the Sundance Institute on YouTube, Obama shared insights into “The Heart.”
Describing it as an “odd little story” and somewhat of a fable, the film revolves around a man grappling with the loss of his mother, who presents him with an “unusual” request in her will.
The narrative delves into themes of lost objects, loneliness, forgiveness, and regret. Obama expressed her intention to explore where tenderness and closeness can exist within these complex emotions. In a voiceover in the clip, she explained:
“We hope that you enjoy the film and that it makes you feel a bit less lonely, or at least reminds you not to forget about the people who are.”
The Obama family has increasingly delved into the entertainment industry. In 2018, Malia’s parents established Higher Ground Productions, a company that entered into a development deal with Netflix.
This collaboration has resulted in various projects, including the recent thriller “Leave the World Behind” and the award-winning documentary “Working: What We Do All Day.”
At Sundance, “The Heart” is featured in the Short Film Program 1, offering audiences a glimpse into Malia Obama’s creative storytelling abilities.
