Film Review: Spring Breakers (USA 2012) – The Controversial Masterpiece by Harmony Korine

Content:  In this podcast, we talk about Harmony Korine’s controversial film “Spring Breakers” from 2012.  We describe the plot, in which four friends commit a robbery to finance their spring break in Florida and get caught up in a maelstrom of drugs and excess. We praise the film's innovative cinematography and editing and considers it a masterpiece, despite being controversial among critics and audiences.  We review also analyzes the cultural context of the film, in particular the different attitudes in the USA compared to Europe. Finally, we examine the actresses and their previous roles in the context of the film.  Plot:  Brit (Ashley Benson), Candy (Vanessa Hudgens), Cotty (Rachel Korine), and Faith (Selena Gomez) have been best friends since elementary school. They live together in a dull college dorm and crave excitement and adventure. All they need is enough money for spring break to head to Florida and have the time of their lives. But they’re broke. What to do?They steal a car, rob a restaurant, and head south. However, when the girls, who never miss a party in Florida, get arrested during a police raid, it seems like the fun is over.  But the wild drug dealer Alien (James Franco) bails them out. Faith senses danger and heads home, while her three friends spiral into a dangerous cycle of drugs and excess.  Later, a terrifying confrontation with Alien’s bitter rival prompts another girl to flee back to her dorm, while the remaining two embrace their dangerous new lifestyle with reckless and brutal dedication.