TIFF 2024: Vice Is Broke (Coming Soon Movie Trailer)
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Interview Video: Eddie Huang On The Epic Downfall Of Vice
TIFF 2024: Vice Is Broke – Eddie Huang’s Bold Look at Vice Media’s Rise and Fall
Eddie Huang is back with his latest project, Vice Is Broke, and it’s bound to make waves at TIFF 2024. Known for his sharp wit and unfiltered style, Huang dives deep into the rise and fall of Vice Media, the once-scrappy Montreal indie magazine that became a media giant before crashing into bankruptcy. In this first-person documentary, Huang, who had his own travel show Huang’s World on Vice, sets out to uncover what went wrong and how the company lost its way.
The Story: From Indie Darling to Media Goliath
Vice Is Broke takes viewers behind the scenes of Vice Media, tracing its meteoric rise from an edgy, underground magazine to a billion-dollar media powerhouse. Huang interviews key players from the early days, including contributors like Jesse Pearson, Amy Kellner, and TV journalist Simon Ostrovsky, who helped build Vice’s credibility and “cool factor.” We also get a glimpse into the chaotic and often controversial leadership of co-founder Gavin McInnes, whose antics eventually got him fired, only for him to later resurface as the founder of the Proud Boys.
As Huang digs deeper, he exposes the culture behind Vice’s transformation, exploring how media moguls poured millions into the company in hopes of tapping into the coveted youth market. There’s a biting humor to the way Huang highlights Vice’s tactics—like making “the cool guy feel rich and the rich guy feel cool.” But as the story unfolds, the film shifts from the outrageous to the poignant, as former Vice employees reflect on what the company meant to them personally, culturally, and morally.
A Personal Investigation with Eddie Huang’s Signature Style
Fans of Eddie Huang know that he’s not one to shy away from tough questions, and Vice Is Broke is no exception. Huang’s personal connection to Vice Media adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film, as he doesn’t just tell the story from the outside—he was part of it. He was there during Vice’s peak, watching the company grow into a $5.7 billion empire, only to see it crash into bankruptcy in 2023, leaving him and many others in the lurch.
Huang’s style is fast-paced, candid, and often hilarious. He mixes serious reporting with his trademark humor, making Vice Is Broke both informative and entertaining. From the “coolness” of Vice’s early days to its eventual downfall, Huang keeps the energy up while exploring the deeper issues at play.
Why You Should Watch It
Vice Is Broke isn’t just for fans of Vice Media—it’s a fascinating look at the shifting media landscape and what happens when companies chase clout instead of integrity. Huang’s film highlights the tension between creativity and corporate ambition, showing how Vice’s quest to be both edgy and mainstream ultimately led to its undoing.
Whether you were a fan of Vice or not, Vice Is Broke will leave you thinking about the future of media, authenticity, and the cost of chasing coolness. It’s a film that mixes humor with hard truths, taking you on a wild ride through the rise and fall of one of the most influential media brands of the 21st century.
Showtimes at TIFF 2024
Catch Vice Is Broke at TIFF 2024 during these showtimes:
- Thursday, September 5 – 5:30 pm (TIFF Lightbox)
- Friday, September 6 – 4:30 pm (Scotiabank Theatre, Press & Industry)
- Friday, September 6 – 6:15 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
- Wednesday, September 11 – 11:10 am (Scotiabank Theatre, Press & Industry)
- Thursday, September 12 – 10:00 pm (TIFF Lightbox)
If you’re interested in media, culture, or just want to see how one of the most influential companies fell from grace, Vice Is Broke is a must-watch at TIFF 2024. With Eddie Huang’s unique perspective and sharp commentary, this is a documentary that will both entertain and provoke thought long after the credits roll.
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