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What Would Jesus Buy?

Name: What Would Jesus Buy?
Director: Rob VanAlkemade
Released: 2007
Duration: 91 min

Representation Score

5.9/10

Fair

2007

Director

Rob VanAlkemade

Runtime

91 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The documentary offers a powerful critique of the intersection between capitalism and organized religion. It challenges systemic institutional power through performance art and communal activism. While it successfully subverts traditional Western structures, it lacks detailed character arcs for women and specific racial compositions. The film promotes a progressive framework that favors individuals outside conventional social and economic structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does What Would Jesus Buy? have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film includes characters who identify as LGBTQ and critiques consumerist rituals that assume everyone is straight or cisgender. It highlights non-traditional communities and structures.

How does What Would Jesus Buy? portray gender?

Fair

Reverend Billy embodies a non-traditional leadership style that challenges traditional patriarchal structures. However, the film does not provide detailed character arcs for women.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What Would Jesus Buy??

Fair

The presence of a Gospel Choir suggests a diverse, multi-ethnic community. The film's critique of consumerism extends beyond specific racial boundaries, promoting a universal message.

How does What Would Jesus Buy? represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The documentary effectively critiques Western capitalism and religion through a progressive lens. It challenges the commercialization of Christmas using performative art and communal activism.

Does What Would Jesus Buy? include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no explicit evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Strong systemic critique of the intersection between capitalism and religious institutions.
Effective challenge of traditional, patriarchal religious hierarchies through performative leadership.
Embraces outsider identities and non-traditional communal structures.

Limited or Absent

Lack of detailed character arcs for women within the narrative.
Limited visibility regarding the specific racial and ethnic composition of the cast.
No explicit representation or discussion of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas. 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!

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