The Film Industry Around the World

As Americans, we are most familiar with big-name Hollywood actors, actresses, and movies. Since before World War 1, Americans have flocked to movie theaters to enjoy artistically created and entertaining films with a bucket of popcorn. Though most movie theaters in the US will show American-made films straight from Los Angeles, California, there is a vibrant and diverse range of film industries catering to different cultures worldwide. India’s Bollywood, known for its dramatic and large-scale dance scenes, is the No. 2 most profitable film industry globally. Nollywood out of Nigeria is the No. 3 most profitable industry and has grown exponentially in recent years to become a major job provider in Africa. Exploring the differences between these films can help contrast cultures and learn about the great diversity in the world.

Hollywood
Hollywood films, characterized by the glitz and glamor of “Tinseltown,” often feature advanced technological special effects and complex plot lines. These films span a large range of genres and often tackle controversial social and political issues. As the oldest organized film industry in the world, Hollywood is very well established and can often afford large budgets for grand scale movies. Named after the film district in Los Angeles, California, Hollywood serves as a travel destination with tourist attractions like the Hollywood walk of fame and the wax museum. Anna Hensler, an employee at a local movie theater, commented on how Americans glamorize Hollywood stars. “We glamorize it. They put a lot of time and money into the movies, getting the best actors or actresses and equipment. “We also have awards and reality TV shows and things like social media that make it stand out,” says Hensler. Each year culminates with the Academy Awards, in which celebrities gather to crown the greatest films, actors, actresses, and directors with Oscar awards. Though Bollywood and Nollywood films are also eligible for Oscar awards, Hollywood has historically dominated foreign film industries.

Bollywood
The term “Bollywood” comes from a combination of “Hollywood” and “Bombay” (the city now known as Mumbai that serves as the capital of the film industry in India). Bollywood has a distinct style that is family-oriented, appeals to human sensitivity, and often features drama and romance as the main genres. Neha Bhardwaj, a Bollywood movie fan, says there are movie stars and celebrity dramas just like in America. “I feel like the Bollywood industry is known for nepotism since the most popular movie stars are all related in some way. There are also a lot of “underworld’ crimes that usually go unnoticed in the Bollywood industry, but there’s always a lot of controversy surrounding random deaths and suicides,” says Bhardwaj. Bollywood films are very musical-based and often have large casts and choreographed fights or dance numbers. The films in India are often more star-driven than plot-driven; Shah Rukh Khan and other members of the famous Khan family are among the highest-paid actors in the world. Though today they have branched out to include a wide range of themes and styles, there are three classic genres of Bollywood films; historical epic, courtesan film, and mythological. Bollywood is just one aspect of the large Hindi film industry, which churns out thousands of movies each year and serves the world’s No. 2 highest populated country.

Nollywood
The third biggest film industry is “Nollywood” of Nigeria and is relatively new compared to other more established industries but is booming nonetheless. When Nigeria gained independence in the 1960s, an economic boom due to oil and other investments gave the Nigerian people more disposable income to spend on pastimes like watching movies. Nollywood movies often have complex storylines and more professionally trained actors compared to their humble beginnings with homemade videos. The film industry is one of the largest employers in Nigeria, which helps with stimulating the economy. Though Nollywood movies have significantly lower budgets (about $75,000-$100,000), the Nigerian film industry is significantly growing and advancing to become highly profitable and well established among their American and Indian counterparts.

The global film industry consists of much more than America’s Hollywood; there is a vibrant movie business in Bollywood, and a new industry coming on the scene with Nigeria’s Nollywood. Though these are all spin-offs of the original Hollywood, each country offers a diverse and unique perspective on movies.

Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Hollywood-California

http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/entertainment-miscellaneous/difference-between-bollywood-and-hollywood/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CHollywood%E2%80%9D%20is%20a%20term%20that,and%20influential%20than%20Bollywood%20movies.

https://www.one.org/us/blog/first-hollywood-then-bollywood-now-nollywood/#:~:text=Nollywood%20is%20bigger%20than%20Hollywood.&text=Yep%2C%20Nigeria%20produces%20on%20average,a%20budget%20between%20%247%2C500%2D13%2C000.