If you’re a fan of celebrities taking on new challenges, then the Sundance Film Festival is the place to be. This snowy event has seen Marvel superheroes trying their hand at indie films and teenage stars transitioning into more mature roles. And this year, there was a rebranding that many people didn’t even know had happened.
At one of the short film showcases, an 18-minute project called “The Heart” made its debut. It was created by a fledgling filmmaker known as Malia Ann, who is better recognized as Malia Obama, the daughter of the former president. Surprisingly, not many attendees at Sundance were aware of her involvement in the film.
At the age of 25, Obama is far from a novice in Hollywood. She interned at the Weinstein Company in 2017 and studied filmmaking at Harvard as a visual and environmental studies major. After graduating, she even wrote for the Amazon series “Swarm,” which was co-created by Donald Glover. Glover, who also served as executive producer of “The Heart,” has been guiding Obama in her nascent career. He emphasized the importance of making a good first impression, given her famous last name.
The film “The Heart” centers around a man named Joshua who is haunted by guilt after his mother’s death. His mother’s last wish was for him to carry around a jar containing her preserved heart. Joshua’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a stranger who bears a striking resemblance to his departed mother. Determined to say the things he never had the chance to say, Joshua learns to be kinder to himself in the process.
In a “meet the artist” video released by Sundance, Obama revealed that she wanted her film to remind viewers to appreciate the people in their lives and to feel a sense of connection. She aimed to create something that would make people feel a little less lonely.
Malia Obama’s debut at Sundance is an exciting development in her journey as a filmmaker. With her passion for storytelling and guidance from industry professionals like Donald Glover, she is sure to make her mark in the world of cinema.
