The four-part docuseries “Hollywood Black,” directed by Justin Simien, will premiere on MGM+ on August 11, 2024. This follows its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, where the first two episodes, “Built On Our Backs” and “The Defiant Ones,” were shown, followed by a Q&A session moderated by Variety Television Critic Aramide Tinubu. The panel included Simien, Lena Waithe, W. Kamau Bell, and Donald Bogle.
“Hollywood Black” dives into a century of Black experiences in Hollywood, spotlighting the contributions of Black actors, writers, directors, and producers who fought for recognition in the industry. It features interviews with prominent figures such as Gina Prince-Bythewood, Steven Caple Jr., Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Gabrielle Union, and Forest Whitaker.
During the premiere’s Q&A Simien provided a glimpse into the creation of “Hollywood Black,” highlighting its unique perspective on the history of American cinema through the lens of Black filmmakers. “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 remarked, reflecting on his early inspiration.
Author and historian Donald Bogle, whose book “Hollywood Black: The Stars, the Films, the Filmmakers” inspired the series, praised Simien’s dedication to capturing the rich history of Black cinema. “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, an Emmy-winning writer and Tony-nominated producer, emphasized the importance of ownership in the entertainment industry. “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, known for the Emmy-winning docuseries “United Shades of America,” addressed the evolving media consumption habits of Gen Z. “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.
READ: 24 Black History Oscar Facts Which Also Highlight Hollywood’s Lack of Diversity
The series is produced by Radical Media and Culture Machine, with executive producers including Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Jon Kamen, Justin Simien, Kyle Laursen, Jeffrey Schwarz, and Amy Goodman Kass. Showrunner Shayla Harris leads the production.
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, with options available for new subscribers.