Eat The Rich: Capitalism and Consequences on Film

Films and TV shows often deal with the effects of capitalism and financial success. There has been a rise in the popularity of stories about the affluent, their extravagant ways of living, and their difficulties. It’s a fascinating occurrence that makes me wonder about the function of entertainment in modern society, the current state of capitalism, and the people who are actually affected by its negative effects.

History of Eat The Rich films

The concept of eat the rich is centuries old and can be found throughout literature and film. A critique of capitalism and the excesses of the wealthy is offered in films and TV shows that deal with this topic. The stories here prompt us to consider how the accumulation of wealth and influence affects our culture.

Italian director Lina Wertmüller created a series of films in the ’70s titled Eat The Wealthy, which explored the Eat The Rich theme. For example, the working class man in The Seduction of Mimi is drawn into politics, only to be betrayed by the rich and powerful. The film serves as a critique of the working class’s exploitation in Italy.

Oliver Stone, an American director active in the 1980s, made several films that took aim at capitalism’s excesses. The protagonist of the 1987 film Wall Street (Brad Pitt) is a young stockbroker who falls in love with a wealthy investor and is enamoured by the glitz and glitter of Wall Street’s money and success. This film addressed the greed and corruption of the banking sector.

Industry

Posted By

Shaquilla Alexander

Founder + Film Editor / Sharing her thoughts on all things film! When she's not writing about filmmaking for So Theory Goes, she is writing weekly posts for her new video editing platform, Working Womxn. workingwomxn.com