Event

Queen of Versailles

Directed by Lauren Greenfield
English
1 hr 40 mins, rated PG
2012 Sundance Film Festival U.S. Directing Award (Documentary)

THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis.

With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.
"Laugh-out-loud funny, with elements of profound tragedy and allegory." Andrew O'Hehir, Salon

"Hilarious, infuriating, timely and involving." Justin Chang, Variety

"Greenfield's vision of a strain of nouveau riche both made and broken by imaginary economics stays with you: it's the wake-up call her subjects deserve." Karina Longworth, LA Weekly