British HIV Association

Born Rich

Born Rich is a 2003 documentary film directed by Jamie Johnson, an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune. The film explores the lives of young heirs and heiresses of some of the world's wealthiest families, providing a rare glimpse into the world of the super-rich. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was later aired on HBO.

Synopsis

The documentary features interviews with several young adults who were born into wealth, including Ivanka Trump, Georgina Bloomberg, and Cody Franchetti. Through candid conversations, the film delves into the unique challenges and privileges that come with being born into affluence. The subjects discuss their personal experiences, societal expectations, and the impact of wealth on their identities and relationships.

Themes

Born Rich addresses several themes, including:

• Identity and Inheritance: The film explores how wealth shapes the identities of those who inherit it, often from a very young age.
• Privilege and Responsibility: It examines the sense of responsibility that comes with privilege, as well as the pressure to live up to family legacies.
• Isolation and Connection: The documentary highlights the isolation that can accompany extreme wealth, as well as the difficulty in forming genuine connections with others.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised it for its honest portrayal of a rarely seen world, while others criticized it for being superficial. Despite the mixed reviews, Born Rich sparked discussions about wealth inequality and the responsibilities of the wealthy.

Impact

Born Rich has been used in academic settings to discuss topics such as sociology, economics, and ethics. It provides a starting point for conversations about the implications of wealth on society and individual lives.

Also see

• Jamie Johnson (filmmaker)
• Wealth inequality
• Documentary film
• Sundance Film Festival
• HBO