For over a century, Hollywood has been the stuff of dreams, synonymous with glitz and glamour. Yet beneath the surface lies a darker, largely untold history of antisemitism that has subtly but powerfully influenced the film industry. In his documentary “Hiding in Hollywood,” filmmaker James Forsher seeks to shine a light on this overlooked issue.
The Struggle to bring “Hiding in Hollywood” to life
“Hiding in Hollywood’ tells the story about the film industry’s century-long battle against antisemitic attacks within its own community.”
“Hollywood has a major problem accepting its past. Just look at what happened two years ago when the Motion Picture Academy Museum opened,” said Forsher.
The 2022 opening of the Motion Picture Academy’s museum without any mention of Jewish pioneers is a stark reminder of the industry’s discomfort with its own history. Ultimately, the museum did a course correction, creating a permanent exhibition showcasing Hollywood’s pioneers. But the incident was a catalyst for Forsher, motivating him to finally complete “Hiding in Hollywood.”
“‘Hiding in Hollywood’ explores how the founding pioneers, recent immigrants from European antisemitism, rediscovered it in the USA,” said Forsher. “They soon realized that in creating what would become the largest media organizations in the world, they would not be able to fight the hatemongers without facing a public backlash accusing the film industry of being under ‘Jewish Control.’”
“Hiding in Hollywood’s” long journey
The journey to create “Hiding in Hollywood” began in the early 1960s with a television special envisioned by legendary comedian Bob Hope and Trude Forsher, James’ mother. Despite its compelling premise, the project struggled to gain traction.
“In 1962, my mother, Trude Forsher and her production partner Paramount co-founder Adolph Zukor, conceptualized a network TV special telling of Zukor’s life story,” Forsher recalls. “Bob Hope commissioned the script. They went on numerous pitches but nobody bought it.”
“I spent my career producing films about Hollywood’s history. I dealt with censorship, scandals, behind-the-scenes stories and even celebrity ghost-hunting. But, looking back, I now realize I left out one of the most important stories; antisemitism,” he admits.
So Forsher is now carrying the torch for the project. The documentary now blends a range of perspectives including those of producers, actors and historians and showcases rare footage such as a never-before-seen interview with Paramount co-founder Adolph Zukor.
“The film gives the audience a first-hand accounting of how the industry of today plays with the same rule book invented by the early pioneers when facing religious-based intolerance,” said Forsher.
A Call for Support to Finish the Film
In 2023, the project was fortunate to receive a grant from the Botstiber Foundation, which enabled Forsher to complete a first cut of the Zukor portion of the story, now integrated into “Hiding in Hollywood.”
“Our current plan is to shoot several more interviews with contemporary Jewish talent in Hollywood who can share their own personal challenges about being Jewish in a country that has not always been so welcoming,” said Forsher. “However, to bring this vital story to the screen the film requires final funding.”
Forsher is seeking this funding through a crowdfunding campaign. Contributors can pledge as little as $5, with unique rewards such as a pre-release download of the film, behind-the-scenes tours of Hollywood and educational courses on Jewish history in the film industry.
“The first reason to support the project is to help finish an important years-long study about how antisemitism has challenged Jews on many levels working in the film industry from its inception to today,” Forsher says. “The second is to help educate lovers of film that are also ignorant about antisemitism. The hope is the next time a comedian like Dave Chappelle says the Jews ‘might control show business,’ hopefully nobody will laugh and realize the statement comes out of ignorance.”
Forsher says he hopes “Hiding in Hollywood” will reach the audience it deserves and spark essential conversations about Hollywood’s complicated relationship with its past.
