Opulence's End

'Opulence’s End' is a movie about the dangerous nature of consumption in modern society, especially in the fashion industry where the pursuit of perfection can lead to self-destruction. This is seen in the excess, materialism, and gendered expectations that come with the very strong destructive results of a perfect, unattainable pursuit. Fashion, in particular, plays a harsh symbolic role in the societal obsession with the unattainable and often deadly price paid in chasing ideals that are toxic by their very definition and cannot be achieved.

As distortion increases, it sends a distressing message of self-destruction wrought by uncontrolled desire. Some of the central motifs in the film include grotesque food and clothes on the table, which act like a symbol for harsh and uncomfortable truths lurking behind this fashion and consumerist world of glitz and glamour.

The models in this film are caught in a sort of conflict in that while they wrestle for control over their desires, it is the very dictates of society that have taken control over them, hostage in oversized and binding clothing. The excess of clothing represents the current societal pressure of overindulgence and perfectionism so many experience day to day. The characters’ fight over the food highlights their desire for something that is ultimately worthless and harmful. Each one desperately wants to possess what they believe is valuable to them, even if it damages them. This combat of the grotesque foods reinforces the larger struggle for unattainable beauty and success through a mirrored illusory nature of desire and destructive need for more, even when it’s toxic.

The poisoned apple is one of the central symbols of this film. It is a metaphor for the perfect, unattainable dream- a dream promising satisfaction, yet carrying destruction. The tragic highpoint of the film when one model finally succumbs to the poisoned apple reflects the fatal results of striving for an unattainable ideal. Representing what happens when perfection becomes an unattainable goal- the paring down of consumerist culture and the fashion industry. It is, if anything, a probe into the realm of superficiality and how this might eventually devour an individual.

This film tries to break down this well-oiled illusion sold to us and urges the audience to question those ideals they hold so dear and appreciate the forces of destruction that lie in ambush behind them.