The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen says he 'hates Hollywood cinema', says, "people are suffering in Africa because of Hollywood"

The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen says he 'hates Hollywood cinema', says, "people are suffering in Africa because of Hollywood"

• Sudipto Sen prefers European and Iranian cinema over Hollywood
• He criticizes Hollywood for shaping global narratives and power
• Sen: Hollywood pushes white hero, black villain stereotypes

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Filmmaker Sudipto Sen, known for directing The Kerala Story and producing the upcoming film Charak, recently spoke at length about his filmmaking philosophy, censorship, and the global film industry in an interview with Moneycontrol. During the conversation, Sen also shared strong views about Hollywood, explaining why he prefers European and Iranian cinema instead.

Speaking candidly about his personal taste in films, Sudipto revealed that he gravitates toward realistic storytelling rather than mainstream spectacle. According to him, the kind of cinema he enjoys watching deeply influences the kind of films he wants to make.

Talking about his viewing preferences, Sen said he enjoys watching films from Europe and West Asia more than mainstream American productions.

“You watch crime thriller My family is not here My nearest family lives 3000 kms away from here but I like to watch realistic films that’s why I like European cinema more I don’t watch Hollywood I like European cinema a lot I like Iranian cinemas Western Asian cinemas European cinemas I watch them a lot.”

He then made a striking remark about Hollywood, stating bluntly:

“I hate Hollywood from the bottom of my heart I hate Hollywood.”

When asked to elaborate, Sen argued that Hollywood historically shaped narratives that reinforced global power structures. According to him, the early film industry was designed to promote a certain worldview.

“I feel that this world which is suffering in Africa so much poverty so much starvation in countries like ours so much communal issues people fighting with each other from small to big behind all this is Hollywood.”

Sen continued by explaining what he believes was the ideological role of Hollywood in the early 20th century.

“Hollywood was made for this purpose in early 20th century when Hollywood’s studio was being made it was made for this purpose that one day they will set the narrative of the world there will be a hero of white skin and there will be a black villain so the hero of white skin will go and kill the black.”

He also cited an example to explain how technology and visual storytelling were used to create such narratives.

“Do you know which company used to make films if a white hero in black area in Africa there was a film called City of Joy the hero was white skin and the people of Kolkata who were brown skin like me when they used to walk with them there was a halo around them.”

Referring to camera technology, Sen added:

“Kodak company later told that they made a special film for this purpose which will create a halo on a particular exposure.”

Summing up his perspective, the filmmaker concluded:

“So Hollywood’s world was made to rule third world country to rule second world country so I hate it.”

Sen’s remarks have sparked conversation online, especially given his reputation for tackling controversial themes through films such as The Kerala Story, Bastar, and his upcoming project Charak.