Diversity in Hollywood exists in cycles of boom and bust. There are moments of abundance when Black people are particularly visible on the big and small screens, with the blaxploitation era of the 1970s and the reign of Black auteurs in the 1990s being prime examples. However, once Black creators and actors find their footing, the industry no longer sees them as valuable, and they disappear once 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. Taking audiences through the history of cinema with tales from industry icons including Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, and Charles Burnett, the series re-examines the history of cinema through the lens of the people who helped shape and, at times, save the industry—but who are often given the short end of the stick.
To rethink how we examine film history, the first episode of the series, “Built on Our Backs,” begins with the birth of the moving image. During the silent era and even the talkies, black people were shown in popular stage productions, in blackface, or in restrictive stereotypes presented by actors like Bert Williams, Stephan Fetchit, and Hattie McDaniel. Yet rather than crucify actors for their complicity in these often harmful portrayals, Simien analyzes their remarkable artistic expression and reveals how these earlier works paved the way for stars like Lena Horne and Richard Pryor. As he points out, working under such oppressive conditions was no easy feat.
Although Black Hollywood is primarily told in a linear fashion, the personal stories told by people inside and outside the industry create a beautiful thread across the decades. This organized timeline allows viewers to see how the rise of major stars like Sidney Poitier, Eddie Murphy, and Denzel Washington intertwine. Connecting their careers to American history illustrates the impact the Black Liberation Movement and the Civil Rights Movement had on all sectors of society.
Some viewers are likely familiar with key moments in cinema history. For example, the emergence of Spike Lee led to the birth of the modern black director. Furthermore, the controversy surrounding Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film The Color Purple caused a stir and prompted a boycott of the film due to its representation of black men. However, lesser-known facts seep into the docuseries, setting it apart from similar historical programs. Episode three, “The Price of Admission,” examines the rise of black female directors such as Julie Dash, Cheryl Dunye, and Kasi Lemmons. It also focuses on the impact of Waiting to Exhale. Based on the acclaimed book by Terry McMillan and the directorial debut of Forest Whitaker, the film spoke to a huge audience of underrepresented black women. The film’s original soundtrack, produced by Babyface, was equally popular and remains so today.
Black Hollywood is not a history lesson, but rather seeks to ask some fundamental questions about the continuity of black storytelling in an increasingly volatile industry. It is particularly poignant at a time when racism is on the rise, encouraging those who may have previously been shamed into silence. Moreover, since the black experience is not a monolith, Simien examines turning points within society while examining the politics of respectability that emerged at different times. The production of regional films like Boyz N the Hood and Menace II Society in the 1990s, while important, offered a unique and highly masculine perspective on blackness that caused a great deal of resistance and anxiety among the black middle and upper classes. Gay representation in black stories was rare and far between, with directors like the late Marlon Riggs producing films like Tongues Untied to combat rampant homophobia. To this day, discussions of stereotyping continue to haunt the work of acclaimed filmmaker Tyler Perry, who was specifically tasked with negatively portraying black women in his films.
Black Hollywood doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but instead asks viewers to shift their perspectives. It suggests that we must move beyond the cries for representation, which have often led to simplistic examples of black experiences in films like The Blind Side and The Help. Instead, Hollywood should be tasked with creating equal opportunities by supporting projects that truly understand and care deeply about black characters. The poignant and reflective series reminds its audience that black films are inextricably linked to the American story and belong in the fabric of the cinematic landscape.
“Hollywood Black” is set to premiere on MGM+ on August 11, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays.
