Looking at the list of yuletide docu-movies on my slate, I realise I’m a bit of a philistine when it comes to my knowledge of the history and evolution of the holiday season. I’ve never been much of a religious person, seeing myself as an agnostic when it comes to such things - I’m not convinced we can ever really truly know much about the nature or existence of God, but I also don’t discount the possibility of the big guy/girl existing. It all seems so unknowable to me, though I’m consistently fascinated that there are people out there whose faith in the Almighty is firm and unshakable. My festive film journey so far has got me thinking that I’m perhaps rather shallow when it comes to my appreciation for the Christmas season - I adore all the window dressing, the surface, superficial stuff like colourful lights, decorations, music, presents and the like, without giving too much thought to the deeper, spiritual reason for the season. I guess there are plenty of people who would look at guys like me as being everything that’s wrong with Christmas. I’m eager and excited to plunge into the world of true-believers and learn a little more about the holiday season and about myself. Bring on the documentaries!
I kick things off with 2007’s immensely entertaining doc What Would Jesus Buy? This one, directed by Rob Van Alkemade and produced by Morgan Spurlock of SuperSize Me fame, follows the jaw-dropping exploits of a satirical group known as “Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping” who take to the streets of America to deliver loud, gaudy attention grabbing sermons, railing against rabid consumerism, especially during the holiday season. Though the group is actually more of a theatrical, sardonic “performance collective” rather than a genuine religious organisation, members of the “church” are deeply spiritual and are not just fed up, but deeply concerned by how materialism has hijacked Christmas and possibly our souls. The fantastic Rev. Billy is actually a guy called Bill Talen who sees himself as a non-Christian but dedicated social activist. The Reverend is his fictional creation, a loud, garish, ostentatious, bequiffed “Hallelujah!” shouting street-preacher based on hitorical eye-catching real-life preachers. He’s a hilarious, lunatic character, the sort of guy you might see sermonising maniacally on street corners and who leaves you wondering if he’s serious, mental or a mixture of the two. Bill sees The Reverend as the ideal way to grab attention and try and get his anti-consumerism message across to the deluded, capitalism-obsessed masses of America.
Van Alkemade’s film is an incredibly interesting look at the pressing issues of commercialisation at Christmas and over-consumption in western culture as we join Rev. Billy and his crew of disciples on a cross-country road trip from New York to California, culminating in a demo at what they see as the home of consumerism, Disneyland, on Christmas day. Their exploits are deliriously entertaining and thought-provoking.
I’ll admit that, at first, I fear that the movie is going to be excruciating and that Rev. Billy, with all his in-your-face exaggerated sermonising, shouting and general attention-seeking extravagance is going to be a pain in the arse. He looks insane with his slicked back blonde quiff and exaggerated body movements, bouncing around, gesticulating and hollering like flamboyant wrestling legend Ric Flair on crack. Thankfully, the doc then takes us inside his world and we get to see behind the mask, understanding this is all a well-calculated performance. The good Reverend might not be real but the messages he espouses are the real deal, albeit dressed up in sensational wrapping paper designed to take grip of your attention and never let go.
Via old footage, we witness Billy debut a rough and ready version of the Reverend character outside the massive Times Square Disney Store back in the mid-’90s, proclaiming that Mickey Mouse is the Anti-Christ. It’s a bit much, but it’s also bloody funny. He pisses a lot of people off but, from the looks on the faces of passers-by, his provocative performance definitely pushes a few buttons, forcing people to think about stuff they perhaps don’t want to admit. Job done and a legend is born.
Over the years the character has evolved into a finely-tuned scud-missile aimed at the heart of capitalism and as the crew hit the road, engaging in various imaginative but always loud and flashy performances on street corners, in malls and even on TV, the whole thing feels like a series of really ballsy Jackass skits. Billy’s an attention-seeker but one with his heart is in the right place, rallying against sweatshop labour and the loss of community spirit caused by society’s ongoing fascination with material things rather than each other. It’s gratifying to watch this guy picketing Starbucks, Toys ‘R Us, Walmart and such, but it also makes me feel very guilty when I consider how much cash I’ve thrown at these corporations over the years.
As you’d expect, there are a few arrests and lots of disgruntled security guys who have to intervene. Most of the consumers that the gang encounter really seem to enjoy and appreciate the performances but it’s hard to say if the message is really getting through to anyone. Their mantra of “Stop Shopping!”, with buzzwords like “Change-ellujah!” and “Shop-pocalypse” raise some smiles but generally seem to fall on deaf ears. Various talking head interviews with shoppers indicate that they appreciate the team’s message but it’s not going to stop them buying their kids an Xbox or Playstation. That, they feel, would make them bad parents.
It’s funny and sombre at the same time, with the film offering many obvious but salient points about Christmas and the damage that the pressures of consumerism is causing. We get to meet a young mother hiding a mountain of debt from her husband as well as a couple shopping for fancy, designer handbags to kit out the huge walk-in ‘wardrobe’ of their “baby” - who turns out to be a bloody dog. This really speaks to me as, since lockdown began, I’m aware that we’ve really spoiled Amelia rotten, especially at Christmas, buying her off with mountains of pink plastic tat she doesn’t even play with any more. The film’s message is simple - we’re obsessed with spending money we don’t really have on loads of crap we don’t really need and we can’t seem to stop ourselves.
As the film goes on, I realise that it's a shame that the Rev’s message is sound but gets mangled and diluted due to his crazy image. The church lacks credibility and isn’t taken seriously enough, precisely because of the main thing that gets them noticed: their ridiculousness. These guys undermine themselves by mimicking a subculture that pretty much nobody takes seriously and are probably just too silly and - ironically - cartoonish with their Mickey Mouse nailed to a cross to be truly reckoned with.
Most audiences will likely agree with the anti-shopping sentiment but I fear it will take a lot more than the good Reverend Billy to change the world. Still, it’s a funny, informative film and I really enjoy it. The “consumerism equals evil” message is hardly a new one but Billy is a compelling subject and a fun guy to spend 90 minutes with. He melds your typical, loony-tunes manic street preacher with a real sense of humour, heart and feelgood activism. We may never stop shopping but anyone watching this hidden gem will hopefully be inspired to shop just a little less. Cheers, Billy.
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