“What Would Jesus Buy?”, a new feature length documentary about Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping, is having it’s world premier tomorrow night (Sunday, March 11th) at the The Paramount Theatre. The film is directed by Rob Vanalkemade and produced by Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me” & “30 Days”).
No one has ever consumed as much as Americans today. And at no time do we consume more than at Christmastime. As the holiday shopping season grows longer, and the malls open earlier, we’re losing something we may never get back.Performance Activist Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping are on a mission to Save Christmas from the Shopocalypse. Backed by his Gospel Choir, the Reverend travels coast to coast to address the shopping addictions which afflict us. The Church saves souls through parking lot revivals, cash register exorcisms, and more; ultimately leading to the Reverend’s arrest on Christmas Day.Our exploration also includes informative visits from psychiatrists, politicians, kids and their overspent parents, and others, each helping to examine our holiday season and other conditions challenging Americans year-round.
I ran into Reverend Billy, Morgan Spurlock and the film’s editor Gavin Coleman in the lobby of the Hilton in downtown Austin. They are all in town for the premier, including the 40 person Church of Stop Shopping choir. It should be quite an event. There’s a second screening in at SXSW on Saturday March 17th, also at The Paramount Theatre.
This is second time I’ve had a chance encounter with Reverend Billy. Last month I came across his Starbucks protest in New York just after he had been arrested.
Here Are A Few Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
- What Would Jesus Buy? Trailer For Reverend Billy Documentary
- What Would Jesus Buy? Reverend Billy Film at SF Docfest
- SS Jeremiah O’Brien Documentary Premier
- Fray Premier Issue: Busted!, Reading and Signing at The Booksmith
- K and K Mime, Twin Mimes for Jesus
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I was inspired when I saw Reverend Billy at his booksigning in Austin over the weekend, at the Book People book store.
So inspired, in fact, that I didn’t buy the book, because consumption is wrong.
I suspect that Book People, although an independent book store, might be incorporated. So I didn’t want an evil corporation to get any money from me.
If it ever makes it to the library though, I’ll ride my bike over there and read it! Why doesn’t he give the book away as a free download on the Internet?