Diversity in Hollywood is shaped by boom and bust cycles. There are moments of abundance when Black people are particularly present on the big and small screen. The blaxploitation era in the 1970s and the reign of Black auteurs in the 1990s are prime examples. However, once Black creatives and actors gain a foothold, the industry no longer sees them as valuable and they disappear again. In his new four-part MGM+ series “Hollywood Black,” based on historian Donald Bogle’s book, director Justin Simien argues that cinema as a medium is not possible without Black people. The series takes audiences through film history with anecdotes from industry icons like Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay and Charles Burnett, and examines film history through the lens of the people who helped shape and sometimes save the business — but who often get the short end of the stick.
To rethink how we look at film history, the series’ first episode, “Built on Our Backs,” begins with the birth of the moving image. During the silent and talkies, blackness was presented in minstrel acts, blackface, or in limiting stereotypical portrayals presented by actors such as Bert Williams, Stepin Fetchit, and Hattie McDaniel. Rather than crucifying the performers for their involvement in these often hurtful portrayals, however, Simien analyzes their brilliant artistic expression and shows how these earlier performances paved the way for stars such as Lena Horne and Richard Pryor. As he suggests, working under such repressive conditions was no small feat.
Although Hollywood Black is told in a mostly linear fashion, personal stories from people in and around the industry create a beautiful thread through the decades. This structured timeline allows viewers to see how the rise of megastars like Sidney Poitier, Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington are interconnected. Linking their careers to American history illustrates the impact of black liberation and the civil rights movement on all areas of society.
Some viewers are probably familiar with the most important moments in film history. For example, the rise of Spike Lee heralded the birth of the modern black auteur director. Additionally, the 1985 controversy surrounding Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple sparked uproar and boycotts over the film’s portrayal of black men. But the docuseries also brings to light lesser-known facts that set it apart from similar historical series. The third episode, “The Price of Admission,” examines the rise of black female directors such as Julie Dash, Cheryl Dunye and Kasi Lemmons, and the impact of Waiting to Exhale. Based on the acclaimed book by Terry McMillan and the directorial debut of Forest Whitaker, the film appealed to the huge, underrepresented audience of black female moviegoers. The film’s original soundtrack, produced by Babyface, was equally popular and remains so to this day.
More than a history lesson, Hollywood Black seeks to ask some fundamental questions about the persistence of Black storytelling in an increasingly volatile industry. It’s especially poignant at a time when racism is boiling to the surface, empowering those who might previously have been shamed and silenced. Additionally, because the Black experience is not a monolith, Simien examines turning points within the community, questioning the politics of respectability that arose during different time periods. The production of hood films like Boyz N the Hood and Menace II Society in the ’90s, while important, offered a unique and very masculine take on Blackness that generated a lot of resistance and concern among the Black middle and upper classes. Queer representation in Black stories was rare, and directors like the late Marlon Riggs made films like Tongues Untied to combat rampant homophobia. Even today, discussions about stereotypical characterization continue to weigh on the work of prolific filmmaker Tyler Perry, who has been held specifically accountable for the negative portrayal of black women in his films.
Hollywood Black doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but asks viewers to change their perspective. It suggests that we need to move beyond the call for representation that has often resulted in simplistic examples of the Black experience in films like The Blind Side and The Help. Instead, Hollywood should be tasked with creating equitable opportunities while promoting projects that truly understand and empathize with Black characters. Moving and thoughtful, the series reminds its audience that Black films are deeply connected to American history and part of the overall fabric of the cinematic landscape.
“Hollywood Black” premieres on August 11 on MGM+, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays.
