Alert icon
We're changing our privacy policy. This stuff matters.  Learn more  Dismiss

America the Beautiful - Trailer

Loading...

Sign in or sign up now!
4,804
Loading...
Alert icon
Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon

Uploaded by on Oct 12, 2009

Available from: http://www.videoproject.com

Filmmaker Darryl Roberts goes on a five year journey to examine Americas growing obsession with physical beauty and perfection, unearthing its origins and deadly risks.

In America the Beautiful we see how increasingly unattainable images contribute to the rise in low self-esteem, body dismorphia, and eating disorders for young women and girls who also happen to be the beauty industry's largest consumers.

In almost 40,000 media messages a year, youthful Americans are being told that, unless you look like supermodels and rock stars, youre not good enough for anyone to love. In 2004 alone, Americans spent $12.4 billion on cosmetic surgery. America the Beautiful explores why Americans are spending so much money to cover up their discontent.

At the heart of America the Beautiful is the story of Gerren Taylor, a teenager who went from being an innocent 12 year old girl to being one of Americas next top supermodels. As she and her mother head down the windy road to stardom, viewers watch the dichotomy between Gerren's adolescent struggles and her adult rights of passage on the catwalks of Marc Jacobs, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and other top designers. Her tumultuous quest acts as a mirror to the American psyche, and it becomes apparent how the same beauty that could jump-start her career could ultimately destroy her young life.

To find out what has Americas pre-teens standing in line for their turn on I Want a Famous Face", and adults on Extreme Makeover, Roberts dives deep into America's culture of fear, consumption, and idolatry for all things external; he seeks answers from celebrities, media, academia, as well as everyday Americans.

America the Beautiful includes appearances by Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Anthony Kedis of the "Red Hot Chili Peppers," Martin Short, as well as Ted Casablanca from the E! Channel and Susan Schulz, the Editor-in-Chief of CosmoGirl!, along with various other celebrities and experts in cosmetics, fashion and media.

Ultimately, the film asks: What are the true costs of our obsession with youth, beauty, and a slender physique? Who actually benefits from this high-priced journey towards this ideal and does it justify a nations psychosis?

Available from: http://www.videoproject.com

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (1)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • I'm really excited to see this!!! I missed the last screening in my area.

Loading...

0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more