Watch Hollywood Banker

Hollywood Banker is a fascinating documentary that takes us on a journey through the life and career of Frans J. Afman, a Dutch banker who revolutionized the financing of American independent cinema during the '80s and '90s. The film offers an insightful insight into the workings of the film industry, exploring how Afman's financial expertise helped to fund over 200 films, including iconic hits such as Terminator, Platoon, and Basic Instinct. We learn how he was able to leverage his connections and innovative financing techniques to secure funding for independent productions that would have otherwise gone unfunded.

The film is incredibly well-researched, featuring interviews with a range of Hollywood celebrities, including Dino De Laurentiis and his daughter, Martha De Laurentiis, as well as leading filmmakers such as Oliver Stone and Paul Verhoeven. These interviews provide a unique window into the creative process of making movies, and how the financial side of the industry plays a critical role in the process.

The documentary also explores how Afman's financing techniques helped to usher in a new era of independent cinema in America, facilitating the rise of filmmakers such as Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch. We learn how his banking savvy allowed these filmmakers to produce films that would have otherwise been deemed too risky by traditional investors, leading to some of the most iconic films of the era.

While Hollywood Banker explores the successes of Frans J. Afman's career, it is not afraid to examine the risks and failures that came along with his innovative financing practices. The film details how, in the early years of his career, Afman took on too much risk and was forced to leave his banking job in disgrace. However, he was able to rebound from this setback and reinvent himself as a Hollywood financier, using his skills to bring a new wave of independent films to the silver screen.

Perhaps the most richly rewarding aspect of this documentary is the way it explores the complexities of the relationship between art and commerce in the film industry. At its core, Hollywood Banker is a story about the challenges of balancing creative risk-taking with the need to make a profit. We see how Afman played a crucial role in this balance, helping to ensure that daring and imaginative films could receive the financing they needed to be produced while making sure investors were protected.

Ultimately, Hollywood Banker is a fascinating and engaging portrait of one of the most important figures in the history of independent cinema. Frans J. Afman's legacy is explored in a nuanced and thought-provoking way, with the film offering a unique perspective on the creative processes and financial challenges that underpin the movie industry. This is an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in film, finance, or the intersection of art and commerce.

Hollywood Banker is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.