Article Title: We live in interesting times. Why can’t Hollywood make films about them?

Article Summary

The article is about the content of Hollywood movies, and that it should focus more on contemporary issues rather celebrating liberal success stories of the past. The author has highlighted that a lot of movies from different genres including horror, period drama, etc., are all set in the past. There are very few movies which highlight the struggle against prejudice like racism and patriarchy, intolerance against homosexuality etc which are not set in the past. These movies are not the part of mainstream cinema.

Racism though can still be seen as the plot for a few modern-day movies but that is not the general case. The author has highlighted the significance and the challenges that a film maker faces today. There are several scandals that have rocked Hollywood recently and the incidents involving Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey provide an opportunity to Hollywood to make compelling movies about contemporary bigotry.

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Words to learn from this Article:

Aerials: a rod, wire, or other structure by which signals are transmitted or received as part of a radio or television transmission or receiving system.

Patchy: existing or happening in small, isolated areas.

Stockpile: accumulate a large stock of (goods or materials).

Pioneers: a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.

Superficial: existing or occurring at or on the surface.

Stifled: make (someone) unable to breathe properly; suffocate.

Scorn: a feeling and expression of contempt or disdain for someone or something.

Topical: (of a subject) of immediate relevance, interest, or importance owing to its relation to current events.

Heinous: (of a person or wrongful act, especially a crime) utterly odious or wicked.

Fallout: the adverse results of a situation or action.

Opprobrium: harsh criticism or censure.

Bigotry: intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself.