Robert Greene’s ‘Too Much Sugar’ Turns Family Portrait Into Collaborative Documentary
Robert Greene’s new documentary follows Ryan “Holli-wood” Hollinger and his extended family, letting members film themselves and shifting the focus from his self-styled patriarch image to a broader family narrative.
In “Too Much Sugar,” director Robert Greene sets out to document fatherhood through Ryan “Holli-wood” Hollinger, a self-proclaimed patriarch of a sprawling Missouri family. Greene empowers each participant to shoot a short film, producing a mosaic of self-portraiture, horror pastiche and farce that reframes the story. While Hollinger’s loud, motivational presence dominates early scenes, voices such as his son Gavin, friend Michael, and long-time partner Amanda challenge his image, exposing neglect and infidelity.
The documentary expands to explore grief, trauma and personal liberation, aided by Greene’s documentary students and a score by his son Wilkie. After debuting in the Orizzonti section at the Venice Film Festival, the film is poised as a conversation piece for art-house cinemas and major streaming services.
Why it matters
It illustrates how collaborative documentary techniques can reshape personal stories and broaden their cultural reach.
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