Not Hollywood: Independent Film at the Twilight of the American Dream

Abstract

In Not Hollywood: Independent Film at the Twilight of the American Dream, Sherry B. Ortner critically examines contemporary independent filmmaking as a site of resistance against neoliberal cultural hegemony. Ortner situates her study within an ethnographic framework informed by interpretive anthropology and cultural studies, challenging prevailing narratives that depict indie cinema's assimilation into mainstream Hollywood. She argues that these films engage with the ideological underpinnings of American culture, offering critiques of consumerism, individualism, and political disenfranchisement. Ortner contends that independent filmmakers produce counter-cinematic works that explore themes deemed too controversial or unconventional for major studios—such as moral ambiguity, sexual transgression, and socio-political critique. By analyzing a range of films from the late 1990s to the early 2010s, Ortner demonstrates how indie cinema functions as a space for marginalized voices and alternative narratives, thereby contributing to a more nuanced understanding of film's role in shaping cultural consciousness during an era characterized by economic inequality and political disillusionment.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)