'Living off daddy's popularity': Internet divided as Malia Obama's debut film draws criticism following Sundance screening

WASHINGTON, DC: Barack Obama’s elder daughter Malia Obama’s short film ‘The Heart’ has divided the audience after being screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

Malia, who has dropped her famous surname ‘Obama’ from her professional resume to replace it with her middle name ‘Ann’ was plagued incessantly by several critics slamming her directorial debut. There were several fans, who supported the 25-year-old young filmmaker in her first endeavor as well.

Malia Obama’s directorial debut

After showcasing her debut directorial ‘The Heart’ at film festivals in Telluride and Chicago, Malia screened her 18-minute film at the Sundance Film Festival.

While it received recognition in the best live-action short category in both Telluride and Chicago, critics flocked to the film social media site Letterboxd to bash her directorial endeavor.

Malia’s film tells the story of a grieving son tasked with an unusual request from his late mother, per Newsweek.

During a 'Meet the Artist' interview for Sundance, Malia said that her film "is about lost objects and lonely people and forgiveness and regret,” before adding that it "works hard to uncover where tenderness and closeness can exist in these things."

Malia continued, "We hope that you enjoy the film and that it makes you feel a bit less lonely or at least reminds you not to forget about the people who are.”

Netizens react to Malia Obama's accomplishment

Internet was left divided by Malia Obama's film with many social media users criticizing her alleging she has been living using her father's reputation.

One of the critics said on Letterboxd, "Honoring her father's legacy by dropping a giant bomb and not receiving any criticism for it."

Someone else asked, "Can you really be a true indie filmmaker if your dad was President? 🤔."

"I think people are being deliberately hard on this one because it was malia obama’s. yeah it wasn’t perfect but it definitely stands up with the rest of the sundance shorts i’ve seen so far, i enjoyed it," declared another fan.

One of the social media users said on Facebook, "Having famous parents doesn’t mean she has talent."

Someone else supported Malia and wished her strength, saying, "Keep your head up young lady it’s only just the beginning."

"Seriously….nepotism much. The fact a film she made even made it there…," remarked another dissenter.

Another social media user attacked the critics saying, "Nepo baby?? Really yall went this stupidly low?"

"That’s life kid," said another empathetic user.

"Well of course it did. Living off daddies popularity with no real talents. But they get the oppurtunities easily because they are the presidents daughter," criticized another netizen.

Another social media user praised her film and said, "You know she did graduate from college, on her own and started as an intern. Did you see the movie? It was good."

"The downside of having famous parents and being propelled into the limelight way before you’re ready…. Most people this happens to never recover from it," observed someone else.

"Keep your head up this world is full of judgmental hypocrites," said another social media user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.