Hollywood Caters to a Ravenous Global Appetite

Hollywood is big business, but the largest portion of its revenues no longer comes from the US. Instead, Hollywood reaps more international than domestic profits, and as a result, the global marketplace influences everything from what films get made to how they are made. In fact, big Hollywood productions no longer make US audiences their primary target and aim to entertain thousands of Japanese, Australians or Germans equally well. Certain subject matter plays better internationally – for example, historical epics spur lively box office action as long as themes aren’t too US oriented. But countries also display some specific tastes: Germans respond to the risqué, Spain goes for horror, and Australians want to laugh. The international success of stars like Denzel Washington and Will Smith defy old stereotypes that black actors lack international appeal. Some wonder whether the growing prevalence of Hollywood movies overseas is a sign of US cultural imperialism, but executives are quick to say that influences travel in both directions. Without a doubt, Hollywood is truly the motion-picture capital of the world. – YaleGlobal