Watch Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies, and The American Dream

Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies, and The American Dream is a documentary film from 1998, directed by Simcha Jacobovici. The film takes a close look at the impact of Jewish culture and identity on Hollywood and, by extension, American popular culture. The movie features a range of interviews with historians, critics, and filmmakers, as well as archival footage from classic Hollywood films. It is narrated by Neal Gabler, who wrote the book "An Empire of their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood," on which the film is partly based.

Through a series of vignettes and case studies, Hollywoodism explores the ways in which Hollywood and its films reflect Jewish values and ideals, and how they have contributed to shaping American culture. The film argues that Hollywood has always been a place where outsiders and minorities could find a voice and a place, and that Jews in particular have played a key role in creating the American dream.

One of the film's main focuses is on the rise of Jewish immigrants to American in the early 20th century, and how their experiences and struggles informed the films they went on to create. From the silent era to the present day, Hollywood has been home to an overwhelming number of Jewish filmmakers, writers, producers, and executives, and this film aims to explore the reasons behind this phenomenon.

Hollywoodism also examines the role of Jewish identity and values in shaping the content of Hollywood movies. According to the film, Jewish filmmakers were often drawn to stories about outsiders and underdogs, as well as tales of redemption, justice, and morality. Many of these themes can be seen in classic Hollywood films such as The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind, which the film analyzes in depth.

The documentary also delves into the ways in which Hollywood has addressed issues of anti-Semitism, both on screen and off. From the blacklist era to the present day, Hollywood has grappled with questions of Jewish identity and cultural representation, and Hollywoodism takes a nuanced and thoughtful approach to these complex issues.

Overall, Hollywoodism is a fascinating and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a little-discussed aspect of Hollywood history. Through its insightful analysis and compelling interviews, the film offers a compelling argument for the centrality of Jewish culture and values in American cinema, and in the wider American cultural landscape.

Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies, and The American Dream is a 1997 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.