Justin Simien’s ‘Hollywood Black’ chronicles the pioneers of African American cinema; Phoenix and Paramount bail

The Business

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss recent Hollywood developments, including Joaquin Phoenix's sudden exit from a film just days before shooting and Paramount Pictures' decision to shut down a studio and layoff 2,000 workers. The industry grapples with uncertainty as Paramount and other major players navigate shifting dynamics.

Plus, NPR’s TV critic and media analyst, Eric Deggans speaks with ‘Dear White People’ creator Justin Simien. His new docuseries Hollywood Black chronicles over a century of Black experiences in Hollywood, exploring the contributions of Black actors, writers, and directors. Simien discusses the pivotal pioneers like Donald Bogle and Oscar Micheaux while sharing personal insights on navigating racial barriers in the industry.