Talk about the power of good timing and word of mouth advertising. The hottest documentary to hit the big screen in a while, 2016: Obama’s America, has raked in over $20 million since its meager opening mid-July at a small theater in Houston. This past weekend, it was shown on 1,747 screen across the nation.
The movie, based on conservative author-turned-filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza’s bestselling book, explores what the future might look like with a second Obama term. In it, the Indian born scholar travels to four different continents to uncover Barack Obama’s past and learn what events and people have shaped the president’s view of the world and his vision for our country.
One of the most compelling aspects of the movie is the voiceover from Obama himself, taken both from his self-narrated audio book Dreams From My Father, as well as some of the numerous speeches he’s given over the years. The tagline is “Love Him, Hate Him, You Don’t Know Him,” and through the president’s own words and D’Souza’s travels, we begin to see a picture of Obama’s anti-colonial influences.
Some people have dubbed the documentary an “87-minute attack ad,” but it seems that it’s not just conservatives coming out in droves to watch it. Mark Joseph, whose company MJM Entertainment is marketing the movie, said via email:
The producers did some testing early on that yielded some surprising and counterintuitive results: it played very well among non-whites and independents ... There was speculation that that could be because Dinesh is himself a native of India and the high marks from independents were because he rejects birtherism and gives no quarter to the suggestion that the President isn't a Christian.
The surprise success of 2016 is a testament to the power of word of mouth advertising, and the desire of the American public to know more about the most secretive president in our history. The film had a negligible budget and an even smaller marketing stipend. It gained traction through some talk radio hosts, and good, old-fashioned, friends-telling-friends messaging.
Watch the trailer:
Have you seen 2016: Obama’s America yet? What do you think about this sleeper success?
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Comments 51
You can't manage to feel like a victim. Yet you're shaking in your boots over a doomsday-style, very long attack on the guy all conservatives hate the most....Zuri
Well, she finally makes an intelligent point. Yes, I'm not a victim by way of being female. And yes, I'm shaking in my boots over the impact Obamanation will have on my kid's future.
You hold on to your bridge, Zuri - you can use it to walk to one of the failing European countries where things are more to your liking.
Imightbewalking Eagle....I'm pretty sure you're trying to insult me, but you'll need to try harder....maybe you can ask around for some help with being cogent? Or funny, if that's what you're going for...since clearly you're not shooting for "relevent". Good luck!
oh, rightside, you crack me up.
Zuri, have you seen the movie?
You're afraid for your kids' future? Did your dreams for your kids future include living in a failing economy? Did you want your kids to be unable to find a job? Did you want them them to be left out in the cold if (God forbid) something bad happened to them? Did you want them to be blown up by Osama bin Laden? Is that why Obama's getting in the way of them?
You know what's funny? That you can't even see that you're making my arguement for me (again). I suspect you are either very young or very simple-minded. I'll use really simple language and answer each question.
Yes, I'm afraid for the future.
No, I don't hope they live in a failing economy.
No, I don't want them jobless, left out in the cold, or blown up by Osama (???????).
YES, THAT IS WHY OBAMA IS GETTING IN THE WAY!!!!! Obama's policy have ensure the future is economically unstable. His policies are why the economy continues to lag, which leads to joblessness and poverty.
The Osama thing? Not so much, since he's dead and all.
Zuri, I just read your comment to HockeyMom, and evidenlty you are young - obviously far too young for this discussion. Good luck with your studies.