Starsuckers

A while back we watched 'Starsuckers' in class, a documentry about how todays society is obsessed with the rich and famous. I was well aware of how the media can effect everyone before I watched this, however I still found myself being shocked by the extent in which people are obsessed with fame and also by some of the lies our society is told, which I'm sure we we were never supposed to find out..

I think the most shocking aspect of the film was finding out about Live Aid and where our money was actually going. The number of people in Africa who were helped was unclear and the project was in fact a way of moving mass amounts of people from one area to another. This is depressing, considering the large numbers of Brits donating money to what they thought was a good cause. However, Bob Geldof and the Live Aid team appeared to get away with the project by having a number of famous supporters (que Bonno) and a pretty african teenager in which they bravely 'saved'. At the time I was drawn to the romantic idea that if the whole world pulls together we could in fact have made poverty history, but after watching this I couldnt help but feel somewhat dissappointed. A part of me didnt want to know.

This poses another question: is there really such thing as a genuine good deed?

Take for instance Wesley Autrey, an average american man who just so happened to find himself in a peculiar situation when he, very bravley of course, saved another guy from being ran over by a train. Wesley now describes himself as a 'household name' and has appeared on shows such as Oprah. He loves the fame and I got the impression that now he has tasted it he wasn't willing to give it up. Im sure he wouldn't hesitate if someone offered him the chance of his very own Wesley show either.

We also follow the story of a little boy who is apparently going to be the next big thing... but I had never heard of him. I found his story really sad, as despite the fact he was doing what every little kid apparently wants - to be famous and loved - he appeared unhappy and also lonely with nobody around him of his own age. Almost too used to having everyone around him telling him he's a super star. When faced with crowds of people he was not phased or intimidated. He danced, they cheered, he left, like some performing monkey. Michael Jackson springs to mind..

Although I can safely say that my goal in life is not to 'just' be famous, I would be lying if I said that I didn't secretly enjoy a flip through the worst/best dressed list, or occasionally checking who is winning on the NME hotlist (don't get me started...). Do I want to be sucessful and respected? yes. Happy? Definatley.