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Former US President Barack Obama recently unveiled a list of his favourite films, songs and books.
All We Imagine As Light bags the top spot on Obama’s list. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Barack Obama has finally unveiled his favourite films of the year, an annual tradition for the former US President. Taking to X on Friday, Obama shared the list of his recommended films from 2024, and it features Payal Kapadia‘s Grand Prix-winning movie, All We Imagine As Light. This comes at a time when the film has been making waves on the global platform. It however ended up being rejected by the Film Federation of India (FFI) as India’s official entry to the Oscars 2025.
Coming back to Obama’s favourite films of 2024, while the Payal Kapadia directorial bagged the top spot on the list, it was followed by the likes of Conclave, The Piano Lesson, The Promised Land, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Dune: Part Two, Anora, DIDI, Sugarcane, and A Complete Unknown. “Here are a few movies I’d recommend checking out this year,” the former president wrote.
After Obama’s shoutout to All We Imagine As Light, a section of fans were seen celebrating the recognition. Others, however, led a series of attacks on the FFI over not choosing the film for Oscars 2025. Instead, Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies was sent as India’s official entry in the Best International Feature category, which recently failed to make the cut.
One wrote, “Wow even Barack Obama recommends all we imagine as light, the ffi is a highly incompetent organisation.”
Another added, “Even Obama likes ‘All we Imagine as Light’ but India has to send in subpar movies showcasing villages to gather sympathy votes at the oscars. Bollywood, Indian cinema, as I knew it, is dead.”
Even Obama likes ‘All we Imagine as Light’ but India has to send in subpar movies showcasing villages to gather sympathy votes at the oscars. Bollywood, Indian cinema, as I knew it, is dead. https://t.co/BR9qN3swpt
— Umang Badetia (@UmangBadetia1) December 21, 2024
“Even Barack Obama like “All we imagine as light”. Everytime I see AWIAL’s new achievement, each time I feel the selection committee has made the biggest possible blunder by sending lapata ladies over AWIAL,” a comment read.
Obama has also picked his favourite books and songs for 2024 and his recommendations include some chartbusters from singers such as Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and more.
More About All We Imagine As Light
Coming back to All We Imagine As Light, the film focuses on the story of two women Prabha and Anu who go on a unique journey that allows them to confront their desires and emotions. While Prabha is a troubled nurse who yearns for her estranged husband, Anu is her young roommate who also seeks intimacy with her boyfriend. Actors like Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Chhaya Kadam play lead roles in the film, which is an official Indo-French co-production.
AWIAL received much global recognition including its recent Grand Prix win at the Cannes Film Festival. It has also been nominated for two Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards 2025.
