The current film industry is no longer the art form is was once known as, especially in the United States. Hollywood has taken the cinema by the throat and turned it into a multi-billion dollar industry, with huge economical and cultural implications. The bottom line for this or any other business is money. With this in mind the Major U.S. film producers will strive to sell their product to as many people as possible.
The contemporary international film industry is currently ruled by Hollywood. With the ever expanding global box office the power of Hollywood seems to be getting stronger and stronger. It is speculated that the number of movie screens overseas will rise sharply as multiplexes are built in movie hungry nations (Washington Post, 1998). Since Hollywood took the helm over the French, the popularity of U.S. films has grown internationally. Along with this cultural popularity comes animosity from the policy makers of foreign countries.
In any examination of the international film industry the main focus is the United States' cinema powerhouse, Hollywood. Our paper will discuss Hollywood's rise to the top of the international market. Furthermore it will illustrate the relationships between Hollywood and the major European players, Britain, France and Germany. Finally, it will explore the current state of the contemporary international film industry.