User Reviews

This film encapsulates the mindset of fame in the modern age by letting 4 figures speak on how they conceptualize it. A sickness spreading through all of us. Sad but this is the new normal.

"The American Meme" explores social media fame under different lights, through various celebrities who have relied on these outlets to gain recognition. The documentary examines the lives of Vine comedians, party animals, models, TV personalities and everything in between, with Paris Hilton as the standout focal point, due to the fact that she embodies American celebrity culture in its purest form and pretty much paved the way for all those who jumped on the fame wagon in more recent times. Many opportunities were missed in the way, where vapid and irrelevant screen time takes away from the more substantial storytelling, who are these people? What drives them?, and is the cost of fame really worth paying?. "The American Meme" has its shining moments, but you will have to navigate through the dull ones in order to appreciate the more meaningful moments.

Okay here me out. All I ever thought of Paris Hilton was her and her daddy's money. I never considered that she marketed herself so well from a reality tv show to perfume to clothing to becoming a DJ. I always thought she got these opportunities because of her last name and not because she is a marketing revolution. For sure her family name helped, but even her own intern, now known as Kim Kardashian, saw what she did and was like "damn I need to do this..." they learn from the best. The only thing about Paris is that she is both Kim and Kris. Kim was lucky to have her mother to support and more sisters to market. I'm not going to lie sex sells and then know how to sell it and I'm actually thanking Paris she did it her own way. I really only ever thought of her as that dumb rich blonde but in this documentary you realize the persona is just a business tactic and it worked so well for exposure and as a business tactic. A little bit of a coincidence that both private videos of sexual acts of Paris and Kim are released publicly. But which woman already maybe a name for herself before that incident and even bounced back hard to the haters? Paris. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on Kim either. Her and her family are geniuses for marketing, media, and as socialites. But they wouldn't be here without Paris's doing.

Now that is done. I want to get to the main course of this documentary. Social media is a not reality. It is a persona just like those so called scripted reality tv shows. Just like anything based in media: it has a goal and an audience to aim it at to make an income or support. I've even tried so hard to post a photo every single day with every hashtag possible on Instagram and the day I hit 1k followers I was over the moon! Grant it, it took me like five days to do but as soon as I stopped to post two or thre days I lost them all and then some. It hit hard but it makes you realize what people want to see and that it takes damn dedication to work your way up. So hats off to you influencers and social media celebrities.

These documentary as shows the real world behind the 'gram. And that's their relationships, mental health, and overall outlook on life. Once your flame of fame burns out what will you leave behind? Well they all definitely hope more than a selfie with rose champagne and lip injections.

All started fame journey either by coincidence or by incidence. Some tries to regret others to promote another others to evolve, what the point of this movie other than money and sharing tears? Now, what benefit should I get from this mixed victorious tragic biography? I will go with money, and cry a little once a long while later.

I enjoyed what this doc exposed here, where it only proved that social media has become an avenue for silly people to become ultra rich without being born filthy rich..

And it also reveals how Socialites are using SM to become Gods to people who'd normally be kneeling before a dead mythical man hanging on a crucifixion instead. We see what those people have become, especially in Americuh today with their hateful, sexist, racist self righteous mindsets.

So it is what it is, so either turn it off or watch it as entertainment like most sound minded people are able to do without condemning our youth for being young like we were once before.

This is nothing more than an irritating look at the lives of the most spiritually empty profiteers of the social media moment. Just watching this made my IQ drop a few points. Paris Hilton has fans? For doing what? Slipping into some beta sex kitten disassociative personality at will? Come on, people. Wake up and "like" the real heroes in the world.

I saw this film last night at Hot Docs in Toronto and had little expectations going in. I use social media, but I am certainly not immersed in the world. I was truly entertained, captivated and in awe of the subjects of THE AMERICAN MEME from start to finish. I laughed the entire way through, while learning a great deal, and felt deeply for the characters. One thing that surprised me about the movie was that it was a lot deeper and a lot more serious than I thought it would be. I was scared and sad when it ended and I am still thinking about the film and my own personal interactions with social media today. I was also surprised about how diverse the audience was, which was pretty crazy. There was an 80 year old with a walker laughing her head off and a 12 years old sitting next to me (although probably not appropriate for a 12 year old...).

Anyways, go see it. It's pretty amazing.

I loved it. It was interesting to see into these specific people's lives

This documentary Is somehow an Inception thing. There are a bunch of influencers complaining about the struggle to became famous on Instagram and Vine, and then the fear to Lost popolarity. There Is Paris Hilton crying cause this Life Is hard... Come on, SRSLY?! There Is a a guy that It has calling himself the fat jews that literally live to lick Paris Hilton butt, Just in the Hope to stay on the rich's train, eventually. The documentary itself Is nothing special, automatic pilot and some Easy rethotical skit, in order to try ti make things emotional and Deep, but well, not even a nice try.

I was very surprised about how I felt after the film ended. I can't stop thinking about the film and I am still thinking about it now, which is why I am writing a review. It comes off as being fun and entertaining to start, but then you realize that there is a ton at stake for the characters and the themes and stories are much more significant than you realize. I feel like I needed to reexamine my own relationship with social media....

Let me start off by stating what I felt. I saw the most honest and truthful reaction from Paris Hilton when she talked about something so sensitive about her life story. You can't get any more real than that. Truly an emotion that cannot lie. Not to mention, the other people within the documentary, through no faults of there own, choose to not hide their creativity even through a slew of insensitivity. This is a fascinating film depicting real people being upfront and personal about the judgements they face and the battles they've conquered. Bravo. 👏

The movie is just celebrities that whine how famous they are and that they feel like they have no privacy, becouse they upload EVERYTHING they do, completly ignoring that they choose this and nobody us forcing them too. How can I feel sympathy for them if the do this to themselves

The inspiration we all were waiting for...Giving the hope not to give up on our Dreams and futures expectations... especially Thank You Miss Paris Hilton to share your drive and intimacy with all of us... the time is now... never give up on your dreams... it's there to grab... ;-)

I really enjoyed seeing the real side of Paris and how far she has come in her courier she truly is an amazing person.

A well put together documentary showcasing some famous and popular social "media" influencers and business people who've made a name for themselves by starting out relatively low. It shows that money is the main attraction and at times these people needed to do some desperate level things in order to accomplish what they wanted.

Paris Hilton is one of the central focuses in this doc and she stands out the most (next is Kirill), as she seems far smarter than most would give credit and didn't have a "15 minutes of fame" like some may think. Very solid insight and this documentary sends a strong and powerful message. Highly recommend.

Paris should NEVER be compared to Jesus or any high power. This nothing more than attention seekers disgracing themselves for more attention. Complete waste of time.

I was lucky enough to attend the premiere of this film with all of the cast and it was so cool. The movie itself was so good and the people in the film were so different on screen than I thought. There was a Q+A after the film with the cast and I was totally engrossed with these people afterwards. They are all so different, but make so much sense. Just wow!

So I went into this thinking that it was going to actually be about memes. You know those things that constantly circulate on social media that people use over and over again. Nope! This was about a handful of no-talent "stars" that have never had to work for anything in there life. All this documentary did was give these people a platform to discuss their narcissistic lives. Completely revolting and a waste of time.

This documentary showed the internet influencer landscape from all angles without being preachy or subversive, all in a cohesive storyline. Definitely worth a rewatch.

I just hope that it doesn't inspire. Really needs to stop

I think the title says it all. All these people means nothing for human evolution. They are EXTRA CRINGE and an embarrassment. Their followers are extra losers with no life.

NOBODY WILL REMEMBER THEM. THEY HAVE NO TALENT.

I like how the filmmaker follows 4 notable social media icons, especially Paris Hilton, as they use their online presence to create something bigger than themselves. I think Bert Marcus does a splendid job approaching industry notables to share the rollercoaster ride that follows when deciding to share your life for millions to watch - also get a glimpse of their life and insight. This documentary is a 'must watch' as it helps the viewer better understand that there's more than meets the eye.

I do not like the concept of this movie, do not like when people trying to pretend "look how hard I work". Obviously they are really enjoying their life style and the entertainment industry, what they are doing - just leaving in their reality, they are an attention seeking people.