Hollywood Beauty Salon
"I found myself in the movie. . . it brings out the 'Hollywood' in everyone."
-Veronica D. Carey, Ph.D., CPRP
Associate Professor, Behavioral Health Counseling Department, Drexel University
-Veronica D. Carey, Ph.D., CPRP
Associate Professor, Behavioral Health Counseling Department, Drexel University
"This film is a paean to human resilience. Awesome!"
-Lawrence A. Real, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual Disability Services
-Lawrence A. Real, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual Disability Services
"A brave and creative endeavor to portray what real recovery looks like – taking people from trauma and bringing their dreams to life – inspiring!!"
-Edie Mannion
Director and Co-Founder, Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
-Edie Mannion
Director and Co-Founder, Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
"These are stories crafted with care, with glimpses of the filmmaking process — a chance to see the camera operators and director themselves at times in awe of the fortitude they’re witnessing."
Additional Press
Director: Glenn Holsten
Run Time: 88 min Rating: NR DVDCat#: PRDVD4 UPC: Pre-book: 8/21/2018 Street: 9/18/2018 SRP: $59.95 GENRES: Documentary, Psychology
HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY SALON portrays life at an intimate beauty parlor inside of the NHS Germantown Recovery Community, a non-profit mental health program in Philadelphia, where staff and clients alike are in the process of recovery. By gathering together to get their hair done, share stories, and support one another, they find a way to rebuild their lives. The documentary—which was work-shopped at the Salon over the course of four years—is also part of the recovery process, and the subjects of the film played an active part in shaping their own narratives and determining their unique individual styles.
HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY SALON was made in collaboration with adults who live with chronic mental illness. The film uses the planning for a “Recovery Hair and Fashion Show,” an annual event organized by the salon’s clients and volunteers, as a structural device to introduce us to the main players. Each film participant was able to decide what scenes to include and how he or she wanted their stories told. The final film includes documentary, animation and dramatic elements, each of which supports a documentary story of struggle and hope. The collaborative process continued throughout the post-production phase, with the project participants attending editing sessions and giving approval to the scenes in which they had participated. A unique filmmaking journey about recovery produced a unique film, filled with color, drama, humor and life. |