Films by Morgan Spurlock
What Would Jesus Buy is an examination of consumerism with a specific focus on Christmas in America. The film follows culture jamming outfit ‘Reverend Billy’ from the Church of Stop Shopping and the gospel choir which embark on a cross-country mission to “save Christmas from the Shopocalypse”. Also discussed on the way are related issues such as the role sweatshops play in America’s ‘Big-Box’ shopping culture. From the humble beginnings of preaching at his portable pulpit on New York City subways, to having a ‘congregation’ of thousands, Bill Talen (Rev. Billy) has inspired not just a ‘church’, but a national culture jamming movement…
Several lawsuits have been brought against McDonald’s corporation in that they are knowingly selling food that is unhealthy. Some of the court decisions have stated that consumers would have a claim if they could prove that eating the food every day for every meal is dangerous. So with that, Super Size Me follows film-maker Morgan Spurlock conducting the experiment — he eats only McDonald’s for thirty days, three meals a day, and if asked to super size a meal, he has to say yes. By the end of the thirty days, he will have eaten every single menu item at least once. The film documents the drastic effect on Spurlock’s health, while exploring the fast food industry’s corporate influence, advertising and how it encourages poor nutrition for its own profit…