An Asian-American and a neo-Nazi walk into a bar, the latter quipping that the former is likeable because of his race. The Asian-American, by the way, is documentary filmmaker Eddie Huang, and the neo-Nazi is Proud Boy founder Gavin McInness. Huang doesn’t totally give McInness a pass about the latter’s racism, but the interview rubs viewers – me – the wrong way. McInness, strangely enough, isn’t Vice Is Broke‘s villain, since Huang has other theories as to how Vice went bankrupt. McInness co-founded and left Vice before Huang worked there, and Huang is trying to uncover what happened to Vice. Aside from the obvious reasons, Aside from McInness, he interviews people who worked for Vice during different times who all tell him of the negligence within.
This film actually is different from many I’ve seen during past TIFFs or films in general, especially with his trajectory. Most filmmakers move from documentary into fiction, not the other way around, and Huang’s move mostly works for his benefit. Boogie, from its reputation, seems to have autobiographical traces but this documentary wears autobiography on its sleeve, with good results. Vice is Broke is an insight into Huang’s complex feelings about friends who ended up being racists and financial abusers. I’d have to dig deep if I have similar experiences but most people in creative industries have in certain ways. Eschewing traditional sit down talking heads, Huang has always been more of a conversationalist which is the right approach for this very personal documentary.
- Rated: NR
- Genre: Documentary
- Release Date: 9/5/2024
- Directed by: Eddie Huang
- Studio: QC Entertainment
