Obama names “BlackBerry” a favorite film of 2023

Barack Obama has released his list of favorite movies of 2023 in a post on Twitter account. This has become an annual tradition for the former President, where he shares his top picks in movies, music, and books with the public, usually via his social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. These lists are eagerly anticipated by his followers and have become a notable part of his post-presidential public persona​​​​.

In 2023, Obama’s selection of favorite movies showcased his eclectic taste, ranging from documentaries to dramas and even biopics. His choices included films produced by his own company, Higher Ground, such as the civil rights period piece “Rustin,” the apocalyptic thriller “Leave the World Behind,” and “American Symphony,” a documentary about musician Jon Batiste and his partner, writer Suleika Jaouad. His list also featured Alexander Payne’s holiday movie “The Holdovers,” along with corporate comedy-dramas “Air” and “Blackberry,” which delve into the impact of commerce and consumerism on their respective brands.

The 2023 film “BlackBerry” is a Canadian biographical comedy-drama directed by Matt Johnson, loosely based on the book “Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry.” It portrays the creation of the BlackBerry mobile phone by co-founders Douglas Fregin and Mike Lazaridis, and investor Jim Balsillie, with Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, and Matt Johnson in the lead roles. The film, which premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, received critical acclaim and was named one of the top 10 independent films of 2023 by the National Board of Review. It highlights the dramatic rise and fall of the company behind the world’s first smartphone​​.

Obama also appreciated Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a politically charged film about the development of atomic bombs. The list was further diversified with Jeffrey Wright’s “American Fiction,” a literary satire, and the French courtroom drama “Anatomy of a Fall.” The Japanese film “Monster,” exploring a mother’s concern over her child’s erratic changes, also made it to his list. Other selections included the intimate drama “Past Lives,” the action-packed “Polite Society,” and “A Thousand and One,” a family drama about a mother’s struggle after her prison stint.

Obama’s choices reflect a broad spectrum of cinematic themes and narratives, from historical dramas to contemporary stories, encompassing both domestic and international films​​​​.