Former President Barack Obama’s eldest daughter, Malia Obama, marked her directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival last month, presenting an 18-minute short film titled ‘The Heart.’ Notably, she chose to distance herself from her father by using the stage name Malia Ann. In the film, credited under the name Malia Ann, she both wrote and directed the piece, which explores the narrative of a lonely man coping with the death of his mother following a dispute about groceries and an unusual request in her will.

Despite her attempt at anonymity, the film has faced criticism on various fronts. Reviewers on Letterboxd, a film-review website, have given mixed feedback, with some dismissing her efforts as a “real stinker,” a “half-baked short,” and “truly dreadful.” The reviews also reflect an average rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars. Detractors have accused Malia of nepotism, questioning her decision to use a different name, with one review stating that adopting the moniker ‘Malia Ann’ does not shield her from criticism as a “Nepo Baby.”

Professional reviews also acknowledged Malia’s famous connections, with The Daily Beast dubbing the short film “solid but mostly forgettable” in a section titled “Nepo Baby of the Week.” The New York Times offered a more optimistic view, labeling it a “promising debut” but noting the influence of Malia’s well-connected family.

Malia Obama’s ties to the film industry extend beyond her directorial debut. She has been involved in the field since she graduated from Harvard, previously serving as a staff writer on Donald Glover’s Amazon Prime series ‘Swarm’ and working as a production assistant on Halle Berry’s ‘Extant’ series. She also interned on the set of HBO’s ‘Girls’ and at the Weinstein Company in 2017.

It is worth mentioning that Malia’s connection with Donald Glover extends to his production company, Gilga, which assisted in producing ‘The Heart.’ Glover, who mentored Malia, had cautioned her about the potential repercussions of being “Obama’s daughter” in the film industry, emphasizing that any misstep could linger in her career. Despite the criticisms, Malia Obama continues to carve her path in the film industry, with her debut receiving both acclaim and skepticism.