As a movie reviewer with a penchant for unpacking the complexities of media and its impact on culture, I found Eddie Huang’s latest documentary, “Vice Is Broke,” to be an intriguing deep dive into the rise and fall of Vice Media. With his unique perspective as both an insider and outsider, Huang masterfully weaves together a tale that is as much about personal grievances as it is about the larger narrative of media’s role in today’s society.
Title of Eddie Huang’s fresh documentary succinctly states the situation: “Vice Is Bankrupt.” Known for shaping counterculture perceptions (even while welcoming investments from large corporations), this media company declared bankruptcy in 2023. And it is with a sense of discontent that Huang, the versatile author, television personality, and filmmaker, started his latest work
Initially, Huang expressed in an interview that he had a disagreement with Shane Smith, the outspoken Vice executive who is synonymous with the brand and instrumental in its expansion beyond sustainable limits. (Huang chose not to disclose the specifics of the argument.) Subsequently, he found out that he was yet to receive payment for his on-screen roles, such as his TV series “Huang’s World,” where he explored various cultures emulating his idol and late friend, Anthony Bourdain
“Huang has been requesting an accounting since 2018, and he claims they’ve been avoiding it by passing the responsibility onto someone else, not paying him his royalties. The bankruptcy made him realize that he had accumulated a lot of information out of personal interest over the past few years. With the debt owed to him as leverage, Huang was able to break free from his confidentiality agreement, and this movie is his way of sharing what it’s like behind the scenes in Vice’s complex world.”
Initially, the company was a fashion magazine primarily overseen by Gavin McInnes, who wasn’t afraid to venture into controversial far-right topics. Later, he established the extreme right group known as the Proud Boys. Contrastingly, Shane Smith seemed more organized, and many believed he could elevate Vice further by creating a television network and daily news program. He also managed to secure funding from companies like Disney and A&E. As Huang explains, Vice portrayed a choice between leaders like Gavin or Shane, similar to the two-party system. However, the documentary suggests a third alternative
The choice is significantly influenced by Huang’s personal background: As a law school graduate, Huang has had an unconventional career that encompasses writing a memoir (“Fresh Off the Boat”), working as a chef and restaurateur, and appearing on-screen. However, his rebellious character – he disliked and departed from his role in the sitcom adaptation of his book, and as a chef, he was labeled by one magazine as “The Bad Boy of Pork Buns” – propelled him to a position where he embraced outsiders
It appeared that way, but Vice’s relentless pursuit of growth, coupled with what Huang describes as its carelessness in handling finances and talent, became obstacles. After Vice, a potential path forward for today’s emerging independent voices might involve an investor like David Ellison backing a new venture instead of attempting to rescue Paramount, according to him. “Alright,” he says, “so they’re going to take a struggling studio and manage it just like every other struggling studio. It doesn’t make much sense. I hope someone with deep pockets who isn’t power-hungry like Shane or Gavin takes this idea and makes it happen for the next generation. That would be really awesome.”
Huang exudes captivating charm both in his conversations and in his film character, a role that’s currently up for sale and managed by UTA. Viewers will undoubtedly empathize with him, especially during scenes like the one from “Huang’s World,” where an unskilled production team leaves him exposed to risky situations. Yet, this is just one chapter in his story
“He expresses his strong interest in being part of the Vice scripted series. He believes that it could offer a fresh perspective on ‘Succession’ that is particularly relatable to today’s generation. Remarkably, the character’s voice might be the one who established the Proud Boys. He thinks it would make for an incredibly dynamic show. Even though Vice may no longer exist, its impact continues to ripple strongly.”
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2024-09-05 22:10