The Final Year

This bittersweet documentary from director Greg Barker (We Are the Giant) follows the Obama administration during their final year in office. With unprecedented access to the White House, it focuses on three key members of Obama's foreign policy team (Secretary of State John Kerry, UN ambassador Samantha Power and deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes), as they attempt to secure relationships and agreements that could define their legacy. Each of them is assuming that Hillary Clinton will succeed Obama and their work will be continued by her administration, so Donald Trump's election victory acts as a tragic, sobering twist of sorts. Nevertheless, the film is inspiring to watch, since it allows us to observe a small team of smart, principled, hardworking individuals who are trying to ensure that the world is a better place. The Final Year won't satisfy viewers who are looking for an impartial, objective assessment of the Obama administration, but it's a must-see if you are interested in US politics.