Podcast Episode 3 - Interview with Documentary Filmmaker Glenn Holsten

In episode three of OC87 Recovery Diaries on the Radio, Bud and Laura interview documentary filmmaker Glenn Holsten about the making of his film, Hollywood Beauty Salon. Much of the film takes place inside a tiny beauty parlor, also known as The Germantown Recovery Community, located in Northwest Philadelphia. The beauty parlor doubles as both a place where people can get their hair done and where they can come for support if they are suffering from a mental illness. The film has garnered rave reviews and Holsten and members of the community have appeared on numerous radio and television programs promoting the project.

Glenn Holsten with Rachel “Hollywood” Carr

EPISODE 3 – Challenging Mental Health Stigma Within the African-American Community: An Interview with Documentary Filmmaker Glenn Holsten on the Making of “Hollywood Beauty Salon.”

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Laura and Bud were equally honored to have Holsten on their show. In this thirty –six-minute interview, they found him to be friendly, informative, and extremely passionate about his work. For him, making Hollywood Beauty Salon was clearly a labor of love. He says, “We all want to be part of something that has a positive loving vibe. It’s something that I want in this life. I want to be part of this energy.”

Holsten’s passion for cinema was no surprise to Bud, who was the principle subject of the director’s previous film, OC87: The Obsessive Compulsive, Major Depression, Bipolar, Asperger’s Movie. Holsten cites that film as pivotal in transforming his career into making films about those with mental health challenges.

Hollywood Beauty Salon is perhaps Glenn Holsten’s most complex film to date. And in this podcast interview, you’ll hear a director who is connected to his work and to people in a way that we can all emulate.

Read Glenn’s essay, A Director’s Journey.