By Kristy Puchko | Film | December 30, 2019 |
By Kristy Puchko | Film | December 30, 2019 |
Over the weekend, former President Barack Obama took to Twitter to continue his tradition of sharing a list of his favorite films and TV shows of the year. This year, that list contains a mix of docs, dramas, foreign-language offerings, and female-fronted, female-created productions like Booksmart, Unbelievable and Fleabag: Season 2.
Next up are my favorite movies and TV shows of 2019. Of course, there’s also American Factory, a film from our own production company, Higher Ground, that was recently shortlisted for an Oscar. Here’s the full list: pic.twitter.com/PEcgwotcxm
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2019
Obama’s list included: American Factory, Amazing Grace, Apollo 11, Ash is Purest White, Atlantics, Birds of Passage, Booksmart, Diane, The Farewell, Ford v Ferrari, The Irishman, Just Mercy, The Last Black Man In San Francisco, Little Women, Marriage Story, Parasite, The Souvenir, and Transit. His brief list of TV shows included Fleabag: Season 2, Unbelievable, and Watchmen.
Film Twitter inevitably reacted by lamenting the faves not listed, like Uncut Gems and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. TV Twitter was disturbed by Obama’s phrasing of “as powerful as movies,” which some took as shade. Many rejoiced in how their own lists crossed over. But the most excited reactions understandably came from the makers behind these movies and TV shows.
From The Watchmen’s leading lady, Regina King.
How you feel when your show makes your favorite President's "list of favorites" https://t.co/HsuHdJ4gr7 pic.twitter.com/FzpadYGwXW
— Regina King (@ReginaKing) December 29, 2019
From Atlantics’ director/co-writer Mati Diop.
From Booksmart director Olivia Wilde:
And from Booksmart star Beanie Feldstein:
HOLY MOLY https://t.co/aOkhgLl5gv pic.twitter.com/0MxuF6a9Qu
— Beanie Feldstein (@BeanieFeldstein) December 29, 2019
(Kaitlyn Dever retweeted Obama’s OG post.)
From The Farewell’s writer/director Lulu Wang:
Sjdsfupwxysisoafsjdedxf https://t.co/yZCVIy1VgV
— Lulu Wang (@thumbelulu) December 30, 2019
From Unbelievable co-creator Ayelet Waldman:
Some official accounts responded as well.
Thank you, @BarackObama https://t.co/s0oP4Vn3PL
— Parasite (@ParasiteMovie) December 29, 2019
— Little Women (@LittleWomen) December 29, 2019
We couldn’t ask for higher praise than this. 🙌 #Fleabag https://t.co/r6EC5YkftK
— Fleabag (@fleabag) December 29, 2019
Speaking of Fleabag, several fans pointed out Obama’s love for Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s acclaimed comedy suggests he’s seen season one. Which means…
President Barack Obama must have also loved Fleabag: Season 1 when Phoebe Waller-Bridge masturbated to his speech. This is the unexpected content that we needed in 2019. pic.twitter.com/XnMHZji7Lz
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) December 29, 2019
HE WATCHED THIS pic.twitter.com/hFZnPa1QGQ https://t.co/bbGWSy5Mqx
— jessie (@gerw1g) December 29, 2019
The feeling is mutual. #Fleabag pic.twitter.com/iniY8oxJh9
— Fleabag (@fleabag) December 29, 2019
Picturing Obama watching Fleabag will carry me through to 2020
— Shane Bueme (@SBu3me) December 29, 2019