Conclusion

These three pseudo-documentaries about the spoiled, shallow and decadent represent a contemporary cultural decay of the Western civilization and late capitalism. These films just show extreme cases and seem to puzzle the average moviegoer because of its hyperreality bordering on reality. Without thinking about consequences, people tend to act like in the movies because it pretends to be the fastest way to the ‘American Dream’. Hollywood brought these images and found a way to deal with it ironically in the postmodern age. As an illustration, mainstream films receive critical justification through being intentionally ‘guilty pleasures’. Even on social network sites we create a hyperrealist version of ourselves, often imitating media personalities, may it be ironically or subconsciously. For this reason, profiles become unbelievable, thereupon giving in this case the opportunity to the Bling Ring teenagers of getting away with putting the burglary adventures on Facebook.

Another problem of the constant copying enfolds the loss of authenticity and originality. Then again, does originality even exist anymore and did it ever?

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.”

Jim Jarmusch (2004)

Spring Breakers (Harmony Korine, 2013)