chambcerswhatwouldjesus

//** What Would Jesus Buy **//** (2007) ** Director: Rob VanAlkemade
 * 1. Title, director, and release year?**


 * 2. What is the central argument of the film?**

This movie aim to pick at Christmas in America and how consumerism has replaced its true meaning. We are a nation of consumers, as supported by the fact that 60% of Americans are in credit card debt. Americans, on average, spend five hours a week shopping. On Christmas alone, five million pounds of extra waste is produced.

Reverend Billy, a comedic man with his "church of stop shopping caravan," travels across the country to convince people to stop shopping and think about where their stuff is coming from. This activist group is comprised of musicians and a choir, which go along to sing about consumption to compulsive consumers at shopping malls, Walmart, and Disneyland. Many times, they are kicked out by security. It appears that spreading awareness is a major threat to these corporations, so it isn't surprising that they would be banned from certain shopping malls.

It is apparent that Americans have a cultural obsession with shopping, as the film interviews bystanders along the way. Many have ignorant opinions about Christmas, as one mother wants to give her children everything they want and the newest toys so that they are liked by their peers. Some believe that its all about the "kids," and many parents will push and shove their way to the wanted items in a store. One question posed by interviewers is "what would Jesus buy?". One person responded with, "Jesus would buy an X-Box 360." This speaks to how brainwashed we have become.

Christmas, as I've always believed, is a ridiculous cultural obsession with shopping. Togetherness and love have been replaced by gift-giving. Commercials and advertising also associate love with buying their product, and many children (who are vulnerable to this advertising) are instilled with these values and keep the consumption going. On average, children watch forty hours of television a week.


 * 3. What sustainability problems does the film draw out?**

The film definitely brings out the problem that our Infrastructure has and its role in consumerism. Many suburban communities lack pedestrian access and public transportation. Therefore, it is harder to get around such a spread-out area. So people are almost required to own an automobile, or the quality of life is pretty drab. So many roads lead to urban-sprawl shopping centers and shopping becomes something to do, as many are losing touch with nature and other activities that can be done outside.

If less people went shopping, and only bought what they needed, that would require less transportation of goods via trucks (and thus, less fossil fuels). We are in an energy crisis, but our infrastructure is a large problem that needs to be solved before we can make a switch to renewable sources of energy.

The movie also mentions how the consumption of "non-U.S.-made goods" encourages sweatshop factories overseas.


 * 4. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?**

As a personally nonreligious person, I was a little turned off by the gospel choir and reverend speaking cheering "Hallelujah!", yet I became to take the film as a humorous statement about what has happened to the original meaning of Christmas. Although it is a satire, I still don't believe in Holidays and the religious meaning behind them. I feel that each religion should not encourage others to to be receptive to their individual beliefs and holiday practices.


 * 5. What audiences does this film best address? Why?**

This film is easy to follow and is a wake-up call to American consumers. It has comedic elements to it, as well as serious undertones of the repercussions of America's shopping obsession. I believe that it appeals to both religious and secular audiences.


 * 6. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?**

I feel that this film could have mentioned the impact of transportation of goods (total CO2 emissions) on Christmas and also the food waste produced around the holidays. Also, since many electronics are sold around the holidays, the film could have educated the viewer and the public about where their e-waste goes once it becomes obsolete.


 * 7. What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested in the film?**

The film suggests that people can make more conscious decisions when they are buying products. Asking questions such as: "where does the product come from, and how was it made," are important because it could eventually prevent the corporation from continuing their outsourcing practices.

Social pressure is the root of Christmas-associated consumerism. If more people become aware of their habits and how it affects the environment, the welfare of people, the economy, and future generations, this "shopacalypse" may be put to a halt.

Asking each other questions, like "Do you really need that new video game system?" is one way of putting the consumption flame out. There are many healthier activities that exist and should not be discouraged by the electronics industry


 * 8. What additonal information has this film compelled you to seek out?**

The movie mentions Wal-Mart's association with sweatshops, which led me to find out about treatment of the workers. 90% of Walmart's goods are produced in sweatshops in China, which are run by the local Chinese mafia. The workers are mostly women and children. They beat, intimidate, kill, and extort their workers, forcing them into slave-like labor. The average Walmart factory worker only makes $3 U.S. dollars a day, and killed if they try to start a union. Source: []

Christmas is a downright wasteful holiday. America generates 25 million extra tons of garbage over the holidays. All of the tossed Christmas cards in one season are enough to fill an entire football stadium, as well as many unwanted gifts (junk). Household waste (including wrapping paper, Christmas Trees, candy wrappers, etc.) all contribute to this figure. Source: []