"What Would Jesus Buy?" follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt.
From producer Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and director Rob van Alkemade comes a serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of the holidays.
Bill Talen (ala Reverend Billy) was a lost idealist who hitchhiked to New York City only to find that Times Square was becoming a mall. Spurred by the loss of his neighborhood and inspired by the sidewalk preachers around him, Bill bought a collar to match his white caterer's jacket, bleached his hair and became Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping.
Since 1999, Reverend Billy has gone from being a lone preacher with a portable pulpit preaching on subways, to the leader, with the film's co-star Savitri D., of a world-wide movement to slow consumption.
Through retail interventions, corporate exorcisms, and some good old-fashioned preaching, Reverend Billy reminds us that we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. Will we walk in the Valley of the Shadow of Debt, or will we find a new way to give a gift this Christmas?
"What Would Jesus Buy?" may just be the divine intervention we've all been searching for.
Followed by discussion and alternative gift ideas.
This event is free but we always love donations to cover our expenses!
Sponsored by Transition Albany