The Bubble examines often-surreal senior citizen life within The Villages, America’s largest retirement community. Leisurely retired life beneath the year-round Floridian sunshine, however, is not perhaps as idyllic, or as welcomed, as viewers may imagine.

The Bubble intimately examines the exclusive retirement experiences, beliefs and mindsets of six memorable Villages residents; Toni and Roger, Jeanie and John, Terry and Toni. Interweaving these satisfied retiree existences with the anxieties of several residents from surrounding counties, the documentary reveals how those beyond the community’s sealed gateways are being profoundly displaced by The Villages’ endless desire for land, water, and regional control.

Florida’s Friendliest Hometown, by welcoming senior citizens at the expense of nearby county residents, illustrates many of the nation’s most combative dialogues regarding class imbalance, racial inequality, healthcare privatisation, political affiliation, state responsibility, and
civic obligation.

The Bubble offers viewers an engaging, provocative yet compassionate contemplation of American ways of life, aging, and death.

A film by Valerie Blankenbyl.
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The Short List' is a collection of some of the world’s best documentaries, curated by VICE founder Suroosh Alvi. On the first Thursday of every month, we’re airing a brand new documentary on our YouTube.

Each episode features a full documentary accompanied by Alvi in conversation with the filmmakers and the films’ subjects. In his conversations with the filmmakers Suroosh explores the themes of the films, unpacks the journey the filmmakers embarked on when creating their projects, and delves into the documentaries’ impact on audiences.

This series aims to take conversations usually only privy to the film festival crowd and go deeper, sharing them with millions of VICE viewers around the world. These documentaries go beyond parachute journalism — they are immersive insights into global issues and subcultures.

00:00 Intro
01:04 The Bubble
01:26:30 Interview with the Director

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