Justin Simien’s Bold Take on Cinema History

Diversity in Hollywood exists in cycles of booms and busts. There are moments of abundance when Black people are particularly visible on the big and small screens, with the Blaxploitation era in the 1970s and the reign of Black auteurs in the 1990s as prime examples of this. However, as soon as Black creators and actors find their footing, the industry no longer deems them valuable, and they vanish once again. In his new MGM+ four-part series, “Hollywood Black,” which is based on historian Donald Bogle’s book, director Justin Simien argues that cinema as a medium is not possible without Blackness. Walking audiences through film history with anecdotes from industry icons, including Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay and Charles Burnett, the series reexamines film history through the lens of the people who’ve helped shape and, at times, save the business — but who are often given the short end of the stick. 

To rethink how cinema history is examined, the series’ first episode, titled “Built on Our Backs,” opens at the birth of the moving picture. During the silent era and into the talkies, Blackness was showcased in minstrel acts, in blackface or under confining stereotypical depictions that were presented by actors like Bert Williams, Stepin Fetchit and Hattie McDaniel. However, instead of crucifying the performers for their involvement in these often hurtful portrayals, Simien analyzes their brilliant artistic expression and unpacks how these earlier acts paved the way for stars like Lena Horne and Richard Pryor. As he suggests, working under such oppressive conditions was no small feat.

Though “Hollywood Black” is mainly told linearly, personal stories from those both in and around the industry draw a beautiful throughline across the decades. This structured timeline allows spectators to see how the ascent of megastars like Sidney Poitier, Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington are connected. Aligning their careers with American history illustrates the impact Black liberation and the Civil Rights Movement had on all sectors of society.

Some viewers are likely to be knowledgeable about major moments in cinema history. For example, the emergence of Spike Lee gave rise to the birth of the modern Black auteur director. Moreover, the controversy surrounding 1985’s “The Color Purple,” directed by Steven Spielberg, caused a frenzy and prompted a boycott because of the film’s Black male representation. Yet, lesser-known facts spill forth in the docuseries, distinguishing it from similar historical shows. The third episode, “The Price of Admission,” examines the rise of Black women directors like Julie Dash, Cheryl Dunye and Kasi Lemmons. It also centers 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 the enormous underrepresented audience of Black women moviegoers. The movie’s original soundtrack, produced by Babyface, was equally as popular and remains so even today.

More than a history lesson, “Hollywood Black” seeks to ask some fundamental questions about the permanence of Black storytelling in an increasingly volatile industry. It’s particularly affecting at a time when racism has come bubbling up to the surface, emboldening those who might have previously been shamed into silence. Moreover, because the Black experience is not a monolith, Simien examines inflection points within the community while scrutinizing respectability politics, which emerged at different periods. The production of hood movies like “Boyz N the Hood” and “Menace II Society” in the ’90s, while important, offered a singular and very masculine view of Blackness that caused a great deal of pushback and concern amongst the Black middle and upper classes. Queer representation in Black stories has been few and far between, with directors like the late Marlon Riggs creating films like “Tongues Untied” to combat rampant homophobia. Even today, discussions about stereotypical characterizations continue to plague the work of prolific filmmaker Tyler Perry, who has been specifically called to task for the negative depictions of Black women in his movies.  

“Hollywood Black” doesn’t claim to know all the answers, but instead asks viewers to shift their perspectives. It suggests we must move beyond cries for representation, which have often wrought simplistic examples of the Black experiences in films like “The Blind Side” and “The Help.” Instead, Hollywood should be tasked with creating equitable opportunities while championing projects that truly understand Black characters and show a deep care for them. Moving and reflective, the series reminds its audience that Black films are deeply connected to the American story and belong to the overall fabric of the cinema landscape. 

“Hollywood Black” will premiere Aug. 11 on MGM+, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays.