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In August of 2006, Senator Barack Obama returned to Kenya, home of his father, to a hero's welcome. But he was there to do more than meet his extended family on his father's side (his mother is from the States); he was touring with his wife and children to improve the lives of Kenyans and help in the public health effort to reduce AIDS and HIV in that nation.

As anyone who reads BuzzFlash knows, Kenya is now embroiled in a deadly post-contested election conflict. Obama's warnings about corruption in the government there ring prescient, as does his interest in making the U.S. a partner in improving the lot of African nations. The documentary includes a sidetrip to South Africa, but the heart of the film focuses on the country of his father's birth and death, Kenya.

This is a professionally constructed and edited documentary film that gives you a closer look at both Obama's personal background and how he represents the United States in a foreign nation, which is very well indeed. Nice use of color and local background music.

It was also nice to see a representative of the U.S. government treated with rock star status, something you won't find when Dick Cheney or Bush visits a nation in the dark of night.

Another thing worth noting about the documentary is how articulate and dignified Obama is, whether he is presenting to academics at a university in Kenya or to a crowd of everyday Kenyans in his father's hometown.

Which reminds us, as we write this review it is the period between the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary. We want to take note of how well any of the Democrats running for president would represent us abroad. As one of them noted before the caucuses (to paraphrase):"The Democratic candidates represent an embarrasment of riches, and the Republican candidates are just an embarassment."

One of the feelings we had watching this documentary is how wonderful it would be to have a president (whether Obama or someone else) who spoke English as a first language, unlike Bush whose first language is clearly unknown to us. Also, how great for the United States it would be to have someone thoughtful and excited about helping other people.

How novel!

From the producers:

Barack Obama returns to his family's roots on an emotional journey to Kisumu, Kenya - land of his father - in this new documentary.

Part personal odyssey and part chronicle of diplomacy in action, this timely documentary follows Senator Barack Obama as he travels to the land of his ancestry. From South Africa to Kenya to a Darfur refugee camp in Chad, Obama explores the vast continent that is gaining increasing importance in this age of globalization.

The heart of the film is Obama's emotional homecoming to Kisumu, Kenya - his father's former home - where thousands of people turn out to greet him. In South Africa, we follow Senator Obama on a trip to Robben Island - the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was jailed for 21 years. At a Darfur refugee camp in Chad, we see, through Obama's eyes, the devastating effects of genocide.

Throughout it all, Senator Obama narrates the film, giving his own perspective on the journey and the significance of Africa to U.S. interests.

Additional perspective is included through interviews with experts on African affairs as well as with U.S. political commentators.

BuzzFlash Note: You also get to hear Michelle Obama talk a bit about Kenya, Africa and political outreach overseas.


BUZZFLASH REVIEWS