or


[07/21/21 - 09:00 AM]
Three-Part Documentary "Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union," Chronicling a President's Journey and the Challenges of Building a More Inclusive America, Debuts August 3
The project chronicles the personal and political journey of President Barack Obama, as the country grapples with its racial history.

[via press release from HBO]

Three-Part Documentary OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION, Chronicling A President's Journey And The Challenges Of Building A More Inclusive America, Debuts August 3

HBO's three-part documentary, OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION, debuting TUESDAY, AUGUST 3 (9:00-10:40 p.m. ET/PT), with additional parts airing Wednesday and Thursday at the same time, chronicles the personal and political journey of President Barack Obama, as the country grapples with its racial history. Weaving together conversations with colleagues, friends and critics, and interspersed with his own speeches and news interviews, the series begins with Obama's childhood and takes us through his perspective as the son of a white mother from Kansas and an African father, his spiritual formation by a generation of Black leaders, and his hopes for a more inclusive America. Through the story of one man irrevocably bound to the history of a country, OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION reflects on the country's past and present national identity.

The three-part documentary will debut on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.

OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION is directed by Emmy(R) winner Peter Kunhardt (HBO's "True Justice: Bryan Stevenson's Fight For Equality," "John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls", "King in the Wilderness").

With the clarity of hindsight and perspective of the last four years, OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION forms a cohesive picture of America under its first Black president. Obama's presidency was unique in America's history, but what was a historic step forward for the country also exposed the ever-present need to address deeply entrenched challenges around race, racial justice and our history.

The series provides context, insight and critique from a wide range of participants including: author Jelani Cobb; Representative John Lewis; political consultant David Axelrod; Rev. Alvin Love; author Michael Eric Dyson; journalist Laura Washington; Rev. Jeremiah Wright; journalist Michele Norris; New Yorker editor David Remnick; Rev. Al Sharpton; professor Cornel West; politician Jesse Jackson; author Ta-Nehisi Coates; NAACP's Sherrilyn Ifill; political advisor Valerie Jarrett; professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.; actor Keegan-Michael Key; former government official Shirley Sherrod; journalist David Maraniss; professor Ken Mack; speechwriter Jon Favreau; advisor Broderick Johnson; and Representative Bobby Rush.

Part One of OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION looks back over Obama's upbringing by a single mother from Kansas and white grandparents, his early schooling in Hawaii and his education at Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Through archival interviews, Obama reflects on the impact of having an estranged African father, growing up bi-racial and his evolving relationship with the African American community in Chicago, where he worked with Black churches as a community organizer.

Part Two takes us from Obama's presidential bid to his election to the White House in November 2008, exploring the obstacles and successes along the campaign trail. With constant pressure to define his identity along racial lines and frustrated by what he saw as a distraction from other important issues, Obama delivers his "race speech" of March 2008, a determined defense of the U.S. Constitution and a plea to look beyond America's "racial stalemate" in order to advance prosperity and unity.

Part Three takes us to the White House years and the formidable hurdles that Obama faced trying to pass legislation in a bitterly divided Congress. He ultimately succeeded in passing the Affordable Care Act but the chasm across the aisle in Washington grew ever wider. As the nation faced a period of heightened awareness around police brutality towards African Americans and the fervent partisan battle over gun control, his critics accused him and the administration of not doing enough to lead a conversation about race, and the president moves forward with policies that focus on racial justice and empowerment.

OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION encapsulates the man and the president, illuminating his vision for the nation shaped from his own experiences and identity. Through today's lens, the documentary reflects on the Obama administration with new understanding about the personal obstacles he faced and the challenging pursuit for equality in America.

HBO Documentary Films' presents a Kunhardt Films Production, OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION, directed by Peter Kunhardt; produced by George Kunhardt, Teddy Kunhardt, Matthew O. Henderson; edited and produced by Maya Mumma, ACE; executive producers, Peter Kunhardt; Andi Bernstein and Mona Sutphen; Jelani Cobb and Jacqueline Glover. For HBO: senior producer, Sara Rodriguez; executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller.





  [july 2021]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION (HBO)





[10/29/25 - 08:17 AM]
Discovery Channel November Programming Highlights
Newly announced premieres include the launch of "The Last Captains" on Sunday, November 2; plus the return of "Street Outlaws: Locals Only" on Monday, November 17.

[10/29/25 - 08:05 AM]
"Breaking Bad's" Betsy Brandt Joins New Season of AMC Networks' "Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches"
She'll play the series regular role of Katherine on the series' third season, which begins production this week in Vancouver, Canada.

[10/29/25 - 08:02 AM]
Video: "The Forsytes" - The Critics Are Raving
Mark your calendars for the U.S. premiere on Sunday, March 22 at 9:00/8:00c on PBS.

[10/29/25 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Jake vs. Tank" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Jake Paul collides with Gervonta "Tank" Davis in a Most Valuable Promotions blockbuster boxing mega-event live from the Kaseya Center in Miami.

[10/29/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "50 Seconds: The Fernando Baez Sosa Case" - Official Trailer - Netflix
This documentary series explores the case of Fernando Báez Sosa, whose fatal beating by a group of young men was caught on video, shocking Argentina.

[10/29/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: New Teaser - Hulu Original Series "A Thousand Blows" Season 2
The critically acclaimed series from creator Steven Knight returns on January 9, 2026 on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, and Disney+ internationally.

[10/29/25 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "The Crystal Cuckoo" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hoping to learn more about her heart donor, a young doctor arrives in a mountain town where decades of mysterious tragedies plague the small community.

[10/29/25 - 03:00 AM]
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces Additional Presenters and Performers for 2025 Induction Ceremony
They join the previously announced lineup of presenters and performers, which includes Beck, Brandi Carlile, David Letterman, Doja Cat, Elton John, Flea, Iggy Pop, J.I.D, Killer Mike, Maxwell, Missy Elliott, Olivia Rodrigo, Questlove, RAYE, Sleepy Brown, Taylor Momsen, Teddy Swims, and Twenty One Pilots.

[10/28/25 - 07:02 PM]
Video: "Seventeen: Our Chapter" - Official Trailer - Disney+
13 stories. 1 bond.

[10/28/25 - 02:07 PM]
"Sunday Night Football" on Record Pace Through Week 8, Averaging 24.7 Million Viewers on NBC and Peacock
Packers-Steelers audience peaked at 28.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock in the second quarter (9:15-9:30 p.m. ET).

[10/28/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of October 20 - "A House of Dynamite" Hits the Target at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Plus: "Nobody Wants This," "The Elixir," and "The Monster of Florence" rise to the top in their opening weekends.

[10/28/25 - 12:01 PM]
ABC Announces 2026 Midseason Premiere Dates
Premiering Wednesday, February 25, ABC is scrubbing back in for Sacred Heart Hospital with back-to-back episodes of comedy "Scrubs" starring Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke.

[10/28/25 - 12:00 PM]
Mark Harmon to Make Special Guest Appearance as Gibbs on "NCIS: Origins" During "NCIS" Crossover Event Tuesday, Nov. 11
In the crossover event airing on Veterans Day, younger Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and team investigate the small-town death of a naval officer in the '90s - a case that's unexpectedly re-opened in the present day.

[10/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
Hulu Renews Hit Emmy-Award Winning Comedy "Only Murders in the Building" for a Sixth Season!
The series will film overseas for the first time, with the beloved crime-solving trio leaving New York City to investigate London's newest mystery.

[10/28/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO in Production on New Ronan Farrow Documentary Tracking Sprawling Criminal Case in Johnson City, Tennessee
The film chronicles a maze of revelations about Sean Williams of Johnson City, TN, a serial predator, tracing both his decades-long evasion of justice and an ensuing scandal over claims of corruption and systemic law enforcement failures.