Review by Jenn Kennedy
Documentary Short by Lauren Greenfield
This project began as a New York Times photo assignment about kids with money. The stories that Greenfield found triggered an interest in her to make something more in depth. Thus, Kids + Money was born. The film explores the lives of about 8 kids, ranging in age from 12-18, living in various parts of Los Angeles.
The subjects come from varied income levels, however, they consistently feel the pressures of consumerism. Each kid tells about their obsessive shopping habits and the feelings behind them. From Mathew, a successful TV actor who largely supports his family, to Cameron, a teenage aspiring rapper with a legendary sneaker collection, to Phoebe, a wealthy, uniformed westside dilettante.
It’s shocking some of the things that came out of these kids’ mouths. Not that it was untrue, but that someone so young (one 12 year old was quite beyond her years) could be so aware, and yet they continue to participate in the madness. As Greenfield noted in an interview, “Information is a loss of innocence, however awareness doesn’t give immunity.”
The kids tell about how their status at school and friendships are dependent on style and having desirable, materialistic items. Several of the kids were interviewed with their parents, who say they are often conflicted as they feel pressed by their kids — beyond their financial limits — in their pursuit for popularity and acceptance. The kids acknowledge that it does occur and yet what they have never seems enough.
I was fascinated by the film and loved the topic. I have always been an avid shopper and pride myself on my wardrobe. That said, it was a bit disconcerting to see the desperate importance these kids placed on having the right item in their wardrobe. Perhaps in part because the words were coming from people so young, who I would assume would be having fun with a simpler existence before the inevitable pressures of adulthood arrive. Of course, one of Greenfield’s. statements in the film is about the impact of media on consumerism and the young — kids get much of their information from TV, movies and magazines.
Greenfield comments that this film is more like her traditional still photo work in that she’s acting as a documentarian on the subject. She tries to tell the story of these kids objectively, although a story can take drastic turns based on the line of questioning and the editing.
Overall, the film was excellent and I highly recommend seeing it when it comes on HBO later this year.
View trailer at laurengreenfield.com.
(Photo credits: laurengreenfield.com)
