Opinion Piece –
Are we witnessing the silent divorce of Hollywood and the American people?
While recounting the life and influence of MGM studios’ Louis B. Mayer (who was instrumental in Tinseltown’s early rise), biographer Scott Eyman states: “Hollywood defined America”. It is hard to argue with this statement as many a classic Hollywood film has gone on to permeate popular and even world culture. Take for instance the Wizard of Oz – which showed the world that a girl from a rural town could escape reality, adventure around a fairy land, all while saving herself, her dog and an oppressed community of people looking for a hero. No doubt popular stories like this have had an effect on American society at large, this success extends to a global audience who may not be able to find Dorothy’s home state of Kansas on a map. The story nevertheless entertains, delights, and will remain a universal classic, even if the phantom claws of cancel culture invent reasons to pick at it. The fact remains, Dorothy who clicked her heels and believed, was a Kansas girl, making it a quintessential American affair, though the sentiment and glow reverberates universally. Ever so human. Universal.
The American story is one of celebration at the end of hardship, the culmination of the success of its deepest ideals though it be a nation of very imperfect and naturally flawed people. America has attained a global prominence because it is a nation of immigrants who dream and achieve, a people that largely welcomes diversity despite historic notions or instances to the contrary. Louis B Mayer, co-founder of the influential MGM studios after all was an immigrant who struggled to attain the American dream. In fact actress Esther Williams says: “(Mayer) was a man working hard to be an American”. Perfection put aside it seems he was a man endeavoring to make art that benefitted America and the public at large which includes the world. But what happens when Hollywood, under the guise of a diversity of opinion, ceases to serve America? It seems we are finding out.
Today Hollywoods feigned “elite” appear to have abandoned the American public in chase of the vain echo of their coached voices, shrouded and amplified by the web, whether those be real people or bots that share their values. To subsidize their diminishing returns, a (reflection of the shrinking interest in hollow films) they have made new friends, this time these friends are mostly imaginary. Award show after award show has now become an unending, exhausting political rally, often of the most extreme, inauthentic and hypocritical sequence. CGI explosions and faux diversity have replaced storytelling and great writing. Studios and creators these days with (with the exception of a few remnant genius’ like Scorsese, Tarantino and a few others) choose their renumeration and take orders from a mostly binary choice of professional social activist groups and their corporate pets as well as the massive market that is China. The latter of which we must add demands and has demonstrated it needs complete subservience (and they don’t care how buff you are John Cena!). But where does this leave the American people?
When interviewed recently Arnold Schawarzneggar, an Austrian immigrant who found success in America as an athlete, actor and politician, was asked about American freedoms in regards to the ongoing Covid-19 saga, to which he replied “screw your freedom”. This is hardly surprising in todays climate where the media consistently covers for and actually rewards this type of hostility to the American people. Judging by the ever tanking views of the award shows, it seems the American people initiated the divorce long ago.
by: Alexander P. Hamilton