Hipsterfication: A Harry Situation is a documentary niche subculture and gentrification . It follows director Harry Carter as he explores the concept and potential effects of being a hipster. He finds that hipsters can be linked to the concept of gentrification, and that this subculture has the power to transform urban areas.

 

As the documentary begins, the audience meets Harry in his natural habitat, his game-filled bedroom. Harry himself is starkly different to the stereotypical characters who make up the hipster demographic, making him the perfect outsider to explore the topic. Along the way he grows a beard, puts on skinny jeans, meets with a family business that has received the short end of the stick because of gentrification, and interviews gentrifiers in person.

 

Harry recounts what he initially believes what would make someone a hipster. With further research, he discovers that there is much more to the coffee-guzzling, “I did (blank) before it was cool,” beer trimming individuals. Harry finds that hipsters are a conglomeration of one demographic, contributing to the commercialisation and movement of big businesses into areas that were not as urbanised. This affects and transforms an area from its original tenants and culture.

 

Travelling to Brick Lane, Harry speaks directly with Paul Gardner, the owner of a small family business who worries for his imminent future. Paul is one of the businesses that whose rates have gone up due to the increasing popularity and “hipness” of Shoreditch. It’s not just Paul who is at risk. Along with Gardner’s, other local businesses have formed the East End End Trades Guild in order to compete with bigger businesses.

 

After speaking with other local businesses that hold the risk of continuing the gentrification, Harry came to his conclusion. He says that every identity and subculture contributes to the ebb and flow of society. No matter who you are, how you take your coffee, you have an impact. While hipsters might not be taken seriously, they could be considered a major component of the equation that could potentially put Paul and others out of business.