By: debbie lynn elias
A Must See Festival Film that is part of the Summer Showcase at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival is the documentary, THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES. And we think we have problems with the economy! Just wait until you meet former billionaire David Siegel and his family. Brought to us compliments of award-winning photographer and documentarian Lauren Greenfield, what starts out as one film when shooting begins takes a 180 degree turn with the 2008 stock market crash.
David and Jackie Siegel have it all. A 27,000 square foot house in a Florida neighborhood that boasts Shaq as a neighbor. A billion dollar company – Westgate Properties, the largest time share company in the United States – of which David is owner. A private plane. Rolls Royces. Limousines. Chauffeurs. A personal staff of 19. They and their 8 children want for nothing. A former Mrs. Florida (at a very young and obviously “physically enhanced” age), Jackie is the epitome of trophy wife, although she does claim undying love for husband David who is 30+ years her senior. They mingle with the rich and famous, jet around the world and according to David allegedly “single-handedly” helped get George W. Bush elected in 2000. But despite all of this, it’s not enough. David and Jackie want more. They want “Versailles.”
Discontent with their already luxurious trappings, David and Jackie set out to build Versailles, a 90,000 square foot home which, on completion, will be the largest single family residence under one roof in America. With ten kitchens, a sushi bar, private ice-skating/roller rink and over 25 bathrooms, this is their dream home, a home that, according to Jackie, David has earned and deserves.
Having paid cash for the land and paying cash as they go with construction, Jackie has already purchased furnishings and trappings including $5 million in marble from China and enough ugly antiques to make one gag. But then 2008 roles around. While Jackie’s been playing with Versailles, David has been playing in Vegas, tying up all the family money in his own crown jewel in the Westgate empire on the Vegas Strip. But with a business like time shares, cash flow comes from the time share owners making monthly payments and when they don’t have money, you don’t get money. And like a house of cards in the wind, the Westgate and Siegel empire comes crashing down.
With the documentary now focusing on billionaires going broke, we see first-hand not only just how clueless and out of touch with the world and themselves this family is, but how irresponsible, hypocritical and selfish. Cringe-worthy is watching the house be overrun with dogs and dog poop which, with the household staff let go, no family member will pick up. Even worse is Jackie’s continual shopping and hoarding. Don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine needing to ever buy three sets of Scrabble for myself and three “Operation” board games. Disrespect runs rampant with Jackie and the children towards David as they can’t understand his frustration at coming home to find the air conditioner on “high”, the front door open, and every light in the mansion turned on with no one in the rooms.
Pathetically comical is Jackie’s whining about the governmental bailout and how it was supposed to go to “the common people…us.” And while David bemoans the banks and lenders who won’t continually fuel his empire, Greenfield captures the true wear and tear that worry casts on a man as we see David Siegel visibly age, turning into a tired old man over the course of filming.
Even if you’re on a budget, it will be money well spent to see this Must See Festival Film.
Directed by Lauren Greenfield.
