Dolly’s Diner

This series talks about the Hollywood dream, shedding light on the place where dreams often break. In an industry run by men, it shows the challenges faced by those who dare to dream.

The protagonist, Irene, moves to Hollywood to seek success but ends up as a waitress at a local diner. The piece reflects on the systemic power men hold and the resulting abuse and exploitation of women. It addresses the pervasive issue of sexual abuse in various fields, notably the film industry. Hollywoodland, where dreams are both made and shattered, serves as a metaphor for the ongoing struggles women face in our modern world.

The name of the series was inspired during a visit to an Amy Winehouse exhibition in London. In Amy’s private journal, a teenage dream of hers surfaced – to own a 1950s-style diner reminiscent of the one in American Graffiti, which she’d have named Dolly’s Diner.

Estimates published by WHO (World Health Organisation) indicate that globally about 1 in 3 of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. And a striking number: 81 percent of women have experienced sexual harassment in their life, according to new surveys raised after the #metoo movement.