MGM+ is set to premiere the four-part docuseries “Hollywood Black,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Justin Simien, on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Inspired by the renowned historian Donald Bogle’s book, “Hollywood Black,” this docuseries takes a deep dive into the history of cinema from a uniquely Black perspective. By sharing personal stories from actors, writers, directors, and producers who fought for their place in Hollywood, the series offers a critical reexamination of an essential American narrative.
The series features an impressive lineup of contributors, including Justin Simien, W. Kamau Bell, Steven Caple Jr., Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Gabrielle Union, Lena Waithe, and Forest Whitaker. Executive producers include Justin Simien, Kyle Laursen, Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Jon Kamen, Jeffrey Swartz, and Shayla Harris, who also serves as the showrunner.
Watch the trailer below.
Episode Breakdown:
Built On Our Backs – August 11, 2024
From the silent era to the late 1960s, this episode explores how Black actors and directors created films that challenged degrading depictions of Black people and reshaped Hollywood’s view of Black storytellers.
The Defiant Ones – August 18, 2024
In the aftermath of the 1960s unrest, Black filmmakers began celebrating Black culture on screen. This episode delves into their struggle to maintain dignity and authenticity as Hollywood started to see financial potential in Black cinema.
The Price of Admission – August 25, 2024
The 1990s saw a surge of Black filmmakers and megastars within the studio system. However, independent and female filmmakers who portrayed Black life outside the mainstream continued to fight for recognition.
Dear Black People – September 1, 2024
Post-Obama’s election, Hollywood presented more opportunities for Black filmmakers, leading to critical and commercial successes like “Selma,” “Get Out,” and “Black Panther.”
The docuseries had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, featuring the first two episodes, “Built On Our Backs” and “The Defiant Ones,” followed by a Q&A session moderated by Variety Television Critic Aramide Tinubu. The panel included Justin Simien, Lena Waithe, W. Kamau Bell, and Donald Bogle. During the Q&A, Simien shared insights into the making of “Hollywood Black,” emphasizing its unique narrative. “I was lucky enough to see The Wiz at a young age and fell in love with the artful and bold filmmaking that was about us,” Simien reflected on his early inspiration.
Historian Donald Bogle, whose book inspired the series, praised Simien’s passion for capturing Black cinema’s rich history. “When Justin reached out to option my book, I realized he would capture the love necessary in sharing the history of Blacks in cinema,” Bogle noted. Lena Waithe highlighted the significance of ownership in the entertainment industry, stressing the need to tell Black and Queer stories despite the industry’s challenges. “The entertainment business is tough because most times you are selling your ideas and content to studios, and you don’t own your work. It’s hard but telling Black stories, including Queer stories, is needed and necessary,” she said. W. Kamau Bell discussed the shifting media consumption habits of Gen Z, pointing out the importance of studios adapting to new platforms. “They might not be going to the theaters, but they are creating content and telling stories on social media platforms that connect with their community and culture. Studios need to figure out how to lean in, bridge the gap, and monetize the audience,” Bell explained.
The series is produced by Radical Media and Culture Machine. The executive producers include Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Jon Kamen, Justin Simien, Kyle Laursen, Jeffrey Schwarz, and Amy Goodman Kass, with Shayla Harris as the showrunner.
MGM+, formerly known as Epix, continues to expand its documentary offerings with “Hollywood Black” being a significant addition. Current subscribers can stream the series upon its release, and new subscribers will have options to join.