Chaos, Youth, and the American Dream: A Harmony Korine Discussion

Join us for a discussion of two provocative and polarizing films by Harmony Korine: Gummo and Spring Breakers.

Rather than watching the films together, this meetup is dedicated entirely to conversation—an open space to unpack Korine’s unique cinematic language, his fractured portrayal of American youth, and the uneasy line between beauty and decay that runs through his work.

We’ll explore Gummo as a collage of post-tornado suburbia, where narrative dissolves into atmosphere and the grotesque becomes strangely intimate. Then we’ll turn to Spring Breakers, a hypnotic, neon-soaked fever dream that both seduces and critiques the mythology of pleasure, excess, and escape.

Topics may include:
• Non-linear storytelling and anti-narrative structure
• The aesthetics of trash, surrealism, and documentary realism
• Youth culture, alienation, and moral ambiguity
• Repetition, sound, and image as emotional rhythm
• Korine’s relationship to American myth-making

Whether you admire, resist, or feel conflicted about these films, this is a space for thoughtful and critical dialogue. No prior expertise required—just bring your impressions, questions, and curiosity.