Generation Wealth

Generation Wealth is a feature-length documentary film released in 2018 that explores the toxic culture of excess and materialism that has come to dominate modern American life. The film is directed by acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield, whose previous works include the award-winning documentary The Queen of Versailles, a portrait of a wealthy family caught in the 2008 financial crisis.

The movie is structured around Greenfield's own experiences as a photographer, documenting the lifestyles of the rich and famous over the course of her career. Through interviews with her subjects and archival footage of her work, she tells the story of how the pursuit of wealth and status has become an all-consuming obsession for many Americans, leading to a host of social and economic problems.

The film features interviews with a diverse range of individuals, including hedge fund managers, beauty pageant contestants, porn stars, and members of wealthy families. Through these interviews, Greenfield explores the various ways in which wealth and status are sought after and attained, as well as the consequences of these pursuits.

One of the central themes of the film is the impact of consumer culture on our lives. Greenfield argues that the constant bombardment of advertising and media messages encouraging us to buy more and consume more has led to a culture of overconsumption and waste. She also shows how the pursuit of wealth has created massive income inequality, with the rich getting richer while economic mobility for many Americans remains stagnant.

Another major focus of the film is the impact of this culture on our relationships, our families, and our psychological well-being. Greenfield interviews several individuals who have become addicted to the pursuit of wealth and status, and who have sacrificed their personal lives and relationships in the process. She also shows how the glorification of youth, beauty, and physical perfection have created unrealistic standards that can lead to anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia.

Throughout the film, Greenfield weaves in her own personal story, showing how her pursuit of wealth and status led to a personal crisis that forced her to reevaluate her priorities. She reflects on how her work as a photographer has given her a unique perspective into the lives of the wealthy, but also how it has allowed her to see the emptiness and shallowness of this lifestyle.

Overall, Generation Wealth is a thought-provoking and powerful commentary on the toxic culture of excess that has come to dominate modern American life. Through Greenfield's artful and insightful storytelling, audiences are given an intimate and often unsettling look at the world of the wealthy and the impact of their pursuit of wealth and status on the rest of society.