the hollywood complex (miff film #2)

The world of would-be child actors is terrifying. And sad. This is what I learned from watching the documentary The Hollywood Complex, the second film in my MIFF schedule.

This disturbing but fascinating documentary takes place during ‘pilot season’ in Los Angeles. Much of it is filmed at the Oakwood apartment complex, which specifically caters to children (and their families) hoping to catch their big break.

But what becomes quickly evident is that none of these kids have a hope in hell of landing a television commercial, let alone a television show or blockbuster film. What these kids do have a shot at, is lining the pockets of the vultures that descent on the Oakland, namely acting coaches, casting agents and photographers, making children and parents believe they have a shot at the big time, if they just have the right head shot or spend a little more to find the right agent.

Some of these families stay at the Oakland not just for the January to April season, but for years, running up large bills usually paid for by the parent that has stayed behind in the hometown the child is originally from. Many of the apartments come without furniture (the cheaper option) and children end up creating make-shift beds on floors, under tables. Collecting cans and bottles from dumpsters for cash is another way to help fund these pilot-season stays. What sort of childhood is this? One of the most infuriating scenes involved a father asking his seven-year-old daughter, after an audition, if she was making him money yet.

As the credits rolled, the cameras returned a year later to find out how the children had progressed in their acting 'careers'. There were no 'thank god he/she got that great role, it was all worth it' moments. None of the children got their big break. It has heartbreaking. I wanted to shake these parents and tell them to stop living such a futile dream. But as one mother put it, she didn't want her child to grow up in a one-traffic-light-town so staying at the Oakland was the better option. Man.

This documentary made me feel so fortunate that I had experienced a normal childhood. Sure, I had dreams of being a dancer and becoming rich and famous. Thankfully, my parents thought a well-rounded education was more important. Thanks mum and dad.

3 stars!