Delve into Intimate Moments Revealed from Within the White House in 'The Viewpoint I Hold': A Reflection
Delve into Intimate Moments Revealed from Within the White House in 'The Viewpoint I Hold': A Reflection
Your time is limited, and deciding what to watch can be overwhelming. In "The Way I See It," you'll find a recommendation for something engaging right now, or you can add it to your list of content to explore later.
Pete Souza, a talented storyteller, doesn't use words–instead, he uses powerful images.
Serving as the White House photographer for two significant figures, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, Souza gives viewers an exclusive glance into the lives of two political adversaries who held the highest office in the nation.
Gain a deeper understanding of Souza and his political perspective by watching the 2020 documentary titled "The Way I See It."
Though the film highlights Souza's time with the Reagans, it provides a more in-depth view of his experiences with the Obamas, whom he began photographing during Reagan's first year as a senator from Illinois. Souza admits that he was unfamiliar with Obama before being assigned to capture images of the rising political star at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
As not many people outside of Illinois and Washington were aware of Obama at the time, Souza was far from alone in his lack of knowledge about the young politician.
Despite his initial ignorance, Obama was so impressed by Souza's work that he invited the photographer into the White House to document his historic tenure as President.
In the film, Souza's work to capture precious moments, both monumental and everyday, is showcased through a combination of footage, voiceovers, and iconic photographs from his enormous archive.
As the film progresses, we see Souza documenting Obama's significant events, such as his first steps into the Oval Office and his eventual departure from the White House. Souza captures memorable moments like the raid on Osama bin Laden, the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting, and the memorial service for victims of the Charleston church shooting. Additionally, Souza gains intimate insights into the relationship between Obama and his family, visually portraying Barack's relationship with Michelle and his young daughters.
Though some of Souza's photographs are purely the result of a trained professional's eye, others, such as the staged photo session with Ron and Nancy Reagan, reveal the strong influence of the president's handlers.
Much of the film focuses on Souza's print work, displaying numerous captivating images that beautifully showcase his ability to capture genuine emotion, particularly when the Obamas are the subjects.
At times, the film takes on a political tone, with Souza expressing that, despite his disagreement with Reagan's policies, he still respected the president for his accomplishments.
Souza's admiration for Obama is evident, both in his photographs and in his praise of the man. After authoring "Images of Greatness: An Intimate Look at the Presidency of Ronald Reagan" in 2004 and "Obama: An Intimate Portrait" in 2017, Souza published "Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents" in 2018, where he compares and contrasts the Obama and Trump administrations.
Souza's book tour for "Shade" is highlighted in the latter part of the film, during which he shares his thoughts on the political climate during the film's creation. In light of recent events, a follow-up to this documentary would undoubtedly be well-received. However, the film's relevance and poignancy have not diminished with the passage of time.
With Donald Trump making his return to the White House, Souza is likely to have some strong opinions about the current political landscape in the United States, which he may express through his popular Instagram account.
However, "The Way I See It" and Souza's body of work demonstrate that one's perspective, be it in politics or life, is largely determined by how we choose to view it.
TITLE: "The Way I See It"
RUNTIME: 1 hour 41 minutes
GENRE: Documentary
FEATURING: Pete Souza, Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan
DIRECTED BY: Dawn Porter
WHERE TO WATCH IT: Prime Video, Apple TV
Souza's photography career at the White House spanned two presidencies, capturing notable moments for both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. During Obama's tenure, his impressive work led the president to invite Souza to document his time in office. Despite political differences, Souza admired Reagan's achievements as president, a sentiment reflected in his book "Images of Greatness." Following Obama's presidency, Souza published "Shade" comparing his administration to that of Donald Trump.