In the Shadow of Hollywood (À l'ombre de Hollywood)

The world of cinema is undergoing another massive transformation. Forget the talkies, forget post-war neo-realism, forget film noir, new wave, world cinema ... the new millennium is all about huge entertainment complexes that overwhelm us with sensory bombardment. In the Shadow of Hollywood examines this assault on our senses through interviews with directors, producers, writers and other experts in the film industry. Notable figures such as Arthur Penn, Bertrand Tavernier, Alain Tanner, Agnieszka Holland, Marin Karmitz, Denys Arcand, Margarethe von Trotta, Andrzej Wajda and Milos Forman speak out with passion and humour, acceptance, indignation, discouragement and hope. The questions addressed are 1) How did the movies become a strategic American industry whose goal is dominance of the world's screens? 2) How have American films captured the imagination of audiences the world over? 3) Considering the Hollywood penchant for happy endings, is it still possible to create films that are "great art"? (NFB)