Documentarian Marina Zenovich turns her eye to Hollywood’s insidious misogyny in a new docuseries. A trailer for “What Happens in Hollywood” has arrived and sees actresses, producers, agents, and creatives discussing the sexual harassment, body shaming, and discrimination they’ve experienced in the biz.
Robin Wright recalls a famous producer who held meetings at his home, in his bedroom. He brought her there once to show her a trailer. When the blinds closed, he ran his hand along her thigh. “Do you want this movie?” he asked. “You really want this movie?”
Minnie Driver shares how another high-profile asshole had thoughts on her appearance. “Harvey Weinstein said, or yelled, that I was unfuckable,” she says in the spot. Editor Dorian Harris’ family planning decisions were fodder for public debate. “You’re having another baby?” someone asked her. “You must not be serious about your career.”
Along with highlighting the industry’s women problem, “What Happens in Hollywood” also traces the ways women are pushing back. We see glimpses of Time’s Up demonstrations, the 2018 Cannes protest, and women directors on set. But there’s still a lot of work to do. “We have to fight for [change],” “Crazy Rich Asians” screenwriter Adele Lim says. “Like, every inch of the way.”
The doc also features Kiersey Clemons, Catherine Hardwicke, Freida Pinto, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Michelle Rodriguez, among others.
Zenovich won two Emmys for her doc “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired.” Her other credits include “Lance,” “Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind,” and “Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic.”
“What Happens in Hollywood” is coming soon to The Roku Channel.
