Hollywood has demonstrated a marked decline in the production of patriotic American films, according to a recent analysis. Movies that once celebrated American achievements and the sacrifices of its soldiers, such as "Saving Private Ryan" and "Apollo 13", are now less common. Instead, Tinseltown's narratives frequently focus on civil rights, slavery, and identity, which, while important, represent a significant shift in storytelling priorities.
This change has sparked concern that Hollywood's cultural tastemakers may be neglecting to chronicle America's achievements, leading to a general decline in national pride. For instance, only 41% of Gen Z expresses pride in being American, a stark contrast to over 70% of baby boomers. This trend emerges as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday, highlighting a perceived inability or unwillingness by Hollywood to produce America-centric film and television.
Despite the perceived "oversaturation" of genres like World War II films, there is still ample historical material for cinematic exploration, such as the Revolutionary period, and figures like Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Frederick Douglass. The article argues that honest storytelling about the nation's history, flaws and all, could generate powerful cinema and foster renewed interest and pride among audiences, without resorting to propaganda or manufactured culture war narratives. The power of film to generate empathy and shift popular understandings of life, country, and the world is emphasized as a key tool that Hollywood is currently underutilizing.
