In the Western world, accumulating wealth has become the ultimate marker of success. According to the new documentary Escape! From the cult of materialism, this insatiable thirst for more has enslaved us all, suppressing the most basic human virtues like decency, solidarity, and compassion. Bringing together imaginative edited archival footage, animation, and clips from a variety of popular films, this insightful documentary provides a succinct yet comprehensive overview of the origins of materialism and its lasting impact on contemporary society.
It all started with a simple wish. From a survivalist perspective, the pursuit of more resources is understandable; after all, more advanced tools allow us better access to food and protect us from nature’s harshest elements. But for years, this need has been manipulated by a corporate materialist machine. We no longer know where our food comes from, and this impersonal relationship sickens us and erodes our once-harmonious relationship with our environment.
We buy goods and services that don’t feed us, creating a constant stream of polluting waste. Our children die in wars that fill the wallets of big businesses. Even in the face of the tragedy of 9/11, their president urged Americans to cope by shopping. Marketing is a platform for mass seduction, and we’re intrigued by its central message that possession increases our personal worth and social status.
The film argues that the effects of materialism are pervasive and unsustainable. The United States has 5% of the world’s population but consumes 25% of the planet’s resources. What will happen to the planet when more populous countries like China and India start producing and consuming on this scale?
The film not only demonstrates the destructive brainwashing tactics of modern consumerism but also offers practical steps we can take to curb its continued dominance in our everyday lives. These include a renewed reliance on local farmers and artisans, limiting our exposure to mass media, and banning heavy advertising near our schools.
Beautifully put together and told with clear insight, Escape! Cult from Materialism is a smart and thought-provoking film.
