By the People: The Election of Barack Obama

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A Special Note from Amy Rice, co-director of By The People: The Election of Barack Obama

10/28/2009

It’s hard to believe we are only days away from the HBO premiere of By The People: The Election of Barack Obama. Making this film was an incredible experience and a bit of a roller coaster at times—just like the election. Back in the summer of 2004 I received a call from my brother Andrew in Oklahoma encouraging me to watch this young senator, Barack Obama, give the keynote address at the Democratic Convention. I remember remarking "what a weird name", and my brother just said, "I know, I know, but just watch. He is the future of the Democratic Party. So I tuned in from my apartment in New York City and I think, like many Americans, I was really impressed by what Obama had to say in his speech. It was very new and refreshing, and it felt like for the first time here was a politician talking to my generation.
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By the People Is “a Defining Record of the Winning Presidential Campaign,” Says Politico

10/22/2009

In a feature called “Film Gives Glimpse of Real Obama,” the influential Politico reporter Ben Smith writes that By the People “represents a rare glimpse behind the curtain of discipline and discretion that surrounded the Obama campaign—a glimpse that came even though some highly placed campaign operatives feared the presence of cameras in their midst.”
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The 2008 Campaign: Your Stories Are Rolling In

10/20/2009

Have you sent us your favorite personal story from the 2008 campaign? Use the Share Your Story page to tell us about your experiences and upload a photo or two. We’ll share our favorites here in the blog.

Here’s one from Alex G. in New York: "I liked Barack Obama from the start, but it took a while for me to be convinced that he could win the nomination, let alone go all the way to the White House. I wanted a Democrat to win, and if it was going to be Hillary, I was on board..."
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Get Ready to Relive the Historic 2008 Campaign

10/16/2009

From the earliest stages of Senator Barack Obama's presidential run, filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams were granted extraordinary access to the candidate, his inner circle, and the vast campaign network that helped boost him into the White House. Now, a year after Obama's historic election, HBO is presenting By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, Rice and Sams's behind-the-scenes account of Obama's world-changing presidential run. The film premieres Tuesday, November 3, at 9pm/8C on HBO.
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