HBO to Air Doc on Obama’s Path to the Presidency

NEW YORK: By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, set to air on November 3 on HBO, follows the ups and downs of the U.S. presidential campaign trail as experienced by Obama, his family, staff and volunteers, over the course of 19 months.

A year before Obama announced his candidacy for the presidency, filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams began following the Illinois senator, inspired to document Obama by his oratorical skills and star appeal as demonstrated at the 2004 Democratic Convention. Over the next 19 months, the filmmakers travelled across the U.S. on his presidential campaign. The documentary chronicles this journey, featuring never-before-seen footage of Obama, as well as interviews and candid moments with his wife, daughters and senior campaign staff, volunteers, supporters and opponents. The doc is produced by Edward Norton, Stuart Blumberg and William Migliore, and is directed by Rice and Sams.

By the People: The Election of Barack Obama will debut exclusively on HBO on November 3 at 9 p.m., with additional airings on HBO2.