I think one major difference between independent films and films produced by Hollywood is Hollywood has a set of guidelines and indie producers seemingly do not. Typically Hollywood films perpetuate stereotypes. For African Americans, some negative stereotypes include: being a thug, troublemaker, impoverished, sometimes unintelligent, etc. One Hollywood film that reinforces said stereotypes is Don't Be a Menace to South Central While You're Drinking Juice in the Hood. It should be noted that Don't Be a Menace is a spoof of various black, coming-of-age, hood films, according to Wikipedia.
On the other hand, independent films can have a civic purpose, and they generally do not reinforce negative stereotypes that are otherwise mainstream. An example of this is Malcolm X directed by Spike Lee. This biography of Malcolm Little's life is a prime example of how independent films can aim to reveal a truth.
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