How International Movies are changing Hollywood?

For a very long time, Hollywood was described, showcased and everything in between as the biggest juggernaut in the world. Even other countries like Europe or Bollywood were afraid. It is where the best movies are made, where all the greatest movie stars lived and where is the backlot for many movies and tv shows. But in recent times, the camera has evolved and taken a step further into the world of cinema outside Hollywood, because there‘s many stories to tell. International Films have made their way to impact the taste of the audiences and appreciate the art more. Films like “Parasite“, “Roma“, “I'm Still Here“ or “Huesera“, when they first premiered, they showed the world and the movie audiences that there‘s so much richness and different form of art, they earned critical acclaim, box office and word of mouth conversation, won major awards and some directors have proven to us that doesn‘t matter where the film is made. Everything is art.

And now... Hollywood is raising his eyebrow.

STORYTELLING

One of the most recent changes is how the stories are told through the screen. International Movies often have taken risks in the way they tell the story, the shift in tones and often casting unknown actors to really showcase that there‘s more power in new talent rather than a well known one. The dynamics in international films are well established, because they dive down into the human psychology, the mind and even the soul, they explore themes that often Hollywood doesn‘t want to talk about. When Hollywood wants to take a script and erase the bumps and mistakes, sometimes international films embrace those mistakes into something more. The stories feel more personal, grounded and leave you something when you walk off the theatre and you get in your car, and take a breath. Examples such as “Monster“ how the story is structured to make a big twist in a grand message in the middle and you carry on throughout the film with the burden and package of the characters, “Cold War“ uses a smart storytelling and an ending that leaves you breathless, such endeavour of shift in storytelling made them to won some major awards in Hollywood. Since then, Hollywood is trying to change the way they tell stories.

THEMES

International movies aren‘t afraid to take risks and address controversial subjects that Hollywood often avoids. Political controversies, gender identity, migration, grief, social politics and depression. “Parasite“ is a movie that took a lot of risks and bold moves in the storytelling, “Roma“ is a simple story that took a lot of bold decisions and took a big risk by the pacing of the film. But, sometimes studios in Hollywood don't believe in quality, they believe if the movies make money, they are great. That‘s not the case, international movies are not often the biggest successes in box office, but the word of mouth conversations maintains and that‘s even more powerful than the some dollars

TALENT

Hollywood often recycles the same stars in every project they take, but International Films often search for the next big star and they give the spotlight to indie actors that are looking for a shot. A clear example is Sean Baker, he comes from an indie scene in Hollywood, and he casts unknown actors often, so they can make a splash into the world. His movie “Tangerine“ is the perfect showcase of casting unknown actors or even no-actors like Jonah Hill did in “Mid-90s“, sometimes new talent are bringing the game into the stories you want to tell. The International Movies also made a big impact in how talent is cast and sought and Hollywood paid attention to that. More often we are seeing new talent in big blockbuster productions. “Past Lives“ used relatively new actors and they showcased how talented they are, Greta Lee and Teo Yoon are now often hired by Hollywood productions and internationally for that little film that Celine Song created.

STREAMING WORLD

The power of streaming like Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV and Mubi are bringing new stories, talent and new directors with bold ideas to make an impact in the world of cinema. Thanks to streaming, it's easier to discover new films from other parts of the world. Like “Squid Game“ , it‘s a Korean production that made a big impact in Hollywood, and now they want to replicate it in a remake with David Fincher directing it. “Capernaum“ it‘s streaming now on Netflix showcasing the power of storytelling by Lebanon. But, the streaming platforms are not only showing these international pictures, they are financing them. That gives a powerful tool for international filmmakers to attempt something new, bold and full of risks.

AFTERMATH

The movies are not slowing down, even in the new lineup of Cannes, there‘s more international movies than Hollywood and that‘s something we don‘t see often. People are hungry for new original stories and international movies are not interested in giving a prequel, sequel or a remake, they are more engaged in telling the right stories and the structure of telling them is something valuable. Hollywood was the only and biggest industry in the world, now the International Pictures are making a big impact and we can‘t deny the talent behind it.

Let‘s take some risks, shall we?