By Matilde D’afflitto, Year 12
Triangle of sadness, a movie which came out in September 2022, is currently being presented at cinemas and theatres worldwide. The movie explores the view of today’s social and gender stereotypes, particularly in the wealth and modelling industry… The movie is separated into 3 parts: the restaurant, the yacht, and the island, and will be discussed briefly without going into too many details.
The movie begins with an ironic and humorous yet true scene, to an extent mocking the ad campaigns made for clothing brands. For example, Balenciaga, which are mocked for always being mean and serious in contrast to inexpensive and more affordable brands, like H&M, where they are found to be joyful and smiley, in order to attract customers. The first part of the movie can be seen as rather familiar to all viewers, with a classic gender stereotype: exploring the idea that a man should always pay for a girl, especially in restaurants. The second part of the movie involves a yacht cruise of crazily wealthy people, who are portrayed to drink Dom Perignon champagne as tap water, where the idea is that money addresses superiority over others, especially the workers of the boat. In fact, the producer of the movie, uses natural events which cannot be controlled with money, such as sea storms, rain and more, in order to destabilize and further emphasize the lack of ability and familiarity the rich have with what is considered normal circumstances. For example, feeling seasick and continuing to eat caviar and drink champagne and other liquors, instead of attempting to relax or taking care of themselves.
Moreover, what can be considered the most unique and creative part of the movie is when they are unexpectedly trapped on a lost island, with no form of communication, where money and wealth have no significance. The scenes on the island are so powerful since they show the many more difficulties, the “rich” have to face to fight for survival compared to the workers of the boat. Despite the many attempts of giving away their luxuries: like their Rolex, Patek Philippe watches to buy resources to survive, their wealth means nothing on the lost island. These scenes all work together unanimously in order to further emphasize that in unexpected and dangerous situations, like being stranded on a lost island, money means nothing, and one’s intelligence and skills are their most valuable asset.
In conclusion, does Triangle of Sadness accurately portray this world’s society? Well even though it is arguable, every day, we often see through social media the lives certain people live. We are able to see the fancy and luxurious holidays they go on, the restaurants they eat at, the hotels they stay at and more. Yet in the end, is that all that matters? Does money buy happiness? Do these luxuries mean they are happier? Is money the only thing we need in life? In the end, money comes and goes, especially when you least expect it – yet one’s competencies and accomplishments are permanent, and thus are more valuable than money, and Triangle of Sadness fully reflects that!
