The Netflix original production Hollywood (2020) is not just a period drama; it also tells dreams, marginalization, and the dark side of the cinema world. LGBT individuals are also affected by all this darkness. For the production, I can say it is a series that has queer stories, perhaps where they are predominant.
Whenever marginalization is mentioned, the psychological and physical violence suffered by LGBT individuals always comes to our minds first as well. LGBT individuals are always seen as easy prey. They fall victim to politics, exploitation of belief, and marginalization.
The series reflects the spirit of the period and its psychological traumas very clearly and completely. The struggles against racism, homophobia, and social taboos in the golden age of Hollywood are the main theme of this series. A quality period series.
In this story where every character sets out with their own dream, reaching somewhere and achieving dreams is very difficult. How marginalized homosexual individuals are mistreated and exploited in the ruthless film industry is also narrated in a dramatic and realistic way. Both this narration, cinematography, and the dialogues between the characters are very good. Even though it is not a very distant history, I watched with astonishment human’s racism, sexism, homophobia, and hatred against those who are not like themselves until recent times. Truly, a few decades ago the world was worse in terms of human rights.
The themes in the series are very simple and realistic, for this reason it was easy to watch. Moreover, even today there are countries and minds that cannot resolve these issues. There are no words to say. In the age of artificial intelligence, in the second half of the 21st century when the human mind and way of thinking have changed, us still debating these issues is also an indicator that humanity has always marked time in place.
While everyone needs to live in their own reality and their own world, they begin changing, forcing, and bullying another. Whereas our entire reality consists merely of the electro-chemicals in our brain…
👉 Curator Recommendation: LGBT series worth watching
Hollywood (2020) Netflix Series Plot and Review
Hollywood takes place in the post-World War II period. With the spread of talkies, Hollywood becomes no longer just a city, but a “land of hope” adorning the dreams of millions of people. However, in this dream world, there is not equal space for everyone.
It is almost impossible for a Black actor or a slanted-eyed screenwriter to get a lead role. In this period, Black artists are usually crammed into servant roles and never deemed worthy of creative positions.
On the other hand, sexual orientation is another reason for exclusion. Homosexuality (in a broader sense, being LGBT or gay) is seen as “deviance” under the heavy pressure of society in those years. The character Archie steps into Hollywood as a Black and gay screenwriter. However, despite his talents, the barriers before him are almost insurmountable. Still, a group of youths who do not give up on their dreams meet at the same point to change their fate.
From the Gas Station to the Cinema Screen
One of the striking details in the series is the events developing in the background of a gas station. This station is not just a fuel stop, but also hosts a secret sex work network. Its owner Ernie convinces young and handsome Jack to work here. Jack’s path coincidentally crosses with the wife of a big producer, and this acquaintance becomes a turning point for him. Also, as a period series, the station will offer you a very good visual experience regarding the life, clothing, and technology of the past. In short, the visuals are wonderful.
The station transforms into a space where the paths of characters cross and their dreams sprout. The common point of these youths is not only their beauty or attractiveness; it is their passion for their dreams. In the later episodes of the series, a small role is also given to Ernie. As someone who left his own dream behind in his time, he shares the excitement of these youths.
In one scene of the series, the script rehearsal Ernie does with Ellen feels practically like a subtle response given to criticisms made of Netflix, if I may say so. I added this part as a quote below. The series is a multi-layered series and a lesson in humanity with both its content and subtextual messages, if I say so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration. One of the productions that I watched that gave me a good “impression” and “experience”. Isn’t life in every situation composed of impressions and experiences anyway? I love these kinds of series that remain in memory. They are not temporary and are always watched. I always say: series do not have an expiration date.
Hollywood (2020): A Story of Dreams, Discrimination, and Rewriting Against the System
The drama is not just a nostalgic period series; it also has a bold, critical, and emotionally intense narrative. This production, which also complies with the rule of “leaving it at its peak,” the greatest advantage of the mini-series format, creates a great impact in a short time. If you are looking for an impressive story about the struggle of different identities, sexual orientations, and races in the film industry, this series is definitely worth watching.
Watching the dark sides beneath the glamour and show of the golden age of Hollywood will be very chilling. The state of queer characters and minorities not being taken into account even though they are people producing very high quality works is a distinct paranoia in itself.
The series offers a tiny slice from a period where love, ambition, and social barriers collapsed. You can be sure that the internal conflicts of the characters and the tension in their relationships will affect you. The visual aesthetic and period atmosphere, as mentioned more or less above, make the series more valuable.
Quote from the Series
This quote contains anti-homosexuality and criticisms and debates of homosexuality in films. How much this period fiction resembles the debates made especially over Netflix today, doesn’t it? It means that on some subjects we still haven’t surpassed ourselves. We haven’t made peace with the lives of others with the chaos in our minds. Actually, someone hostile to another is primarily hostile to themselves. This is the case in the series as well. Power holders do not want people who are always free and will make their own decisions, who think and possess will. Because freedom does not like fighting, marginalization, polarization, looking down on another. In the series, “freedom” actually has the same meaning as equality. I know this felt like a slightly forced comment.
-Mr. Selzman, the Hays code is not voluntary and your film is rife with homosexual elements.
-Listen to what’s coming out of your mouth.
-We are not censoring, Darly,
-We’re preventing censorship from destroying free speech in this industry.
-You’re telling Darly B. Selzman what our citizens can’t watch? Why? So people don’t make their own decisions. You don’t like freedom, it scares you.
