Surplus: terrorized into being consumers
Atmo Film's award-winning doc on the madness of shopping culture for the MTV generation.
Woods Hole (Massachusetts)
Friday November 28, 2008
Screening begins 19h00
Venue: Woods Hole Firehouse, Water St.
Erik Gandini/Sweden/2003/52 min/English/some subtitles
Celebrate Buy Nothing Day 2008 with an entertaining look at how our surplus lifestyle comes at the expense of others. On this "biggest shopping day of the year," we will say "no" to the corporate-greed economy and "yes" to a free-will exchange of goods.
Bring your loved & unwanted clothes, tools, nick nacks and toys for a Free Swap after the film in the firehouse basement. Coffee donated by Coffee Obsession. Donations are appreciated but not required!
About the film:
Why is the lifestyle of consumerism a source of such rage today? How come the privilege of buying goods does not automatically lead to happiness? Why all this emptiness despite our wealth?
Shot in the US, India, China, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Canada and Cuba over three years, SURPLUS is the result of a complicated editing process by music composer/editor/percussionist Johan Soderberg.
Showcasing George W Bush's famous "shopping-speech" calling for a war against terrorism that deters the nation from the fear of consumption. Castro responding with hymns to the anti-consumerist, advertising-free island of Cuba. Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer preaching that the computer will give us peace on earth "bringing people together" while Adbuster Kalle Lasn warns that advertising pollutes us mentally, that over-consumption is unsustainable and that we are running out of oil.
At the center of SURPLUS, is John Zerzan, a controversial philosopher whose call for PROPERTY DAMAGE has inspired many to take to the streets. "That is not violence. Sitting there doing dope and watching MTV . Then you go and get a job. Just schlep along. To me that is violence," says Zerzan.
*Amsterdam International Film Festival
Silver Wolf Award (2003)
*Prague One World Film Festival
Czech Radio Award (2004)
*Vila do Conde Short Film Festival
Audience Choice Award (2004)
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