Former President Reveals His Favorite Films
As is tradition every half of December, the former president of the United States, Barack Obamashared his personal pop culture curations. After the lists of renowned publications and names like John Waters, Obama’s list is expected to mix the prestige of the Oscar with choices that reflect his political and social vision.
The 2025 list (not ranked) features the inevitable leader of the awards, One Battle After Another (One Battle After Another), but it also holds surprises for Brazilian cinema and directorial debuts.
Obama’s 2025 Favorites
| Film | Director | Emphasis |
| One Battle After Another | Paul Thomas Anderson | The critical consensus of the year with Leonardo DiCaprio. |
| Sinners (Sinners) | Ryan Coogler | The epic of terror and racial tension that dominated the box office. |
| It Was Just an Accident | Jafar Panahi | The winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025. |
| The Secret Agent | Kleber Mendonça Filho | The Brazilian thriller set in the 70s that conquered the world. |
| Hamnet | Chloe Zhao | The historical drama based on best-seller of Maggie O’Forrell. |
| Sentimental Value | Joachim Trier | The return of the director of The Worst Person in the World. |
| Train Dreams | Denis Johnson | The Sundance favorite turned Netflix hit. |
| Good Fortune | Aziz Ansari | The comedian’s feature film directorial debut. |
Brazil at the Top: The Secret Agent
The inclusion of The Secret Agentdirected by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Mouraconsolidates the film as one of the biggest international milestones in Brazilian cinema this decade. Obama, who frequently includes works by Mendonça Filho in his lists (as he did with Bacurau), reinforces the global appeal of the plot of espionage and political memory that takes place in Recife in 1977.
Unusual Choices and Documentaries
What caught the attention of experts was the presence of Good Fortuneof Aziz Ansariwhich received a muted reception throughout the year but appears to have resonated with the former president’s personal tastes. Obama also included works by cult directors such as Park Chan-wook (No Other Choice) e Noah Baumbach (Jay Kelly).
Closing the list, Obama highlighted the documentary Orwell: 2+2=5of Raoul Pecka choice that perfectly aligns with its history of promoting discussions about democracy, surveillance and truth in the information age.
Which of these Obama favorites have you watched or plan to watch before Oscar season?
Hi! I’m Renato Lopes, an electric vehicle enthusiast and the creator of this blog dedicated to the future of clean, smart, and sustainable mobility. My mission is to share accurate information, honest reviews, and practical tips about electric cars—from new EV releases and battery innovations to charging solutions and green driving habits. Whether you’re an EV owner, a curious reader, or someone planning to make the switch, this space was made for you.
Post Comment