THE TRUE COST

9/23/2015

Last Monday night after a long day of working and class, after a long weekend of working and homework I decided to drag my tired butt all the way across the city to one of my favorite uptown institutions Bryant Lake Bowl and Theater. I shelled out my 12 bucks and ran into the theater at 7:03 true to my normal fashionably late nature. I was attending this screening to support a movement that I've been apart of for over 4 years now, the eco-fashion movement in Mpls. I really wasn't prepared to learn anything, or to be moved. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the harmful effects of fast fashion and an out of control clothing industry. And it might have been the sheer exhaustion or my overly sensitive tear ducts but I ended up crying through majority of the film. I even learned a few facts that I hadn't heard before.

THE FILM

The movie addresses everything from Earnest Elmo Calkins and his mantra,' the things you use and the things you use up,' to the cotton farmers in India, to thrift store stats (10% of donated clothes actually get sold at local thrift stores), to personal narratives of those affected. I was reminded of things I knew; that the fashion industry is second only to the Oil industry in terms of how much pollution they out put. And it taught me more about the people putting in work to make change.

+++ This Hilarious SNL skit was featured in the film

I could tell you more, I could tell you everything but then I wouldn't be able to quiz you and find out if you actually take the initiative and watch this fantastic, well produced, inspiring, educational film. It's the kind of documentary that truly makes you uncomfortable and I was truly truly sad. It reinforced all of my lifestyle decisions and I was still uncomfortable. AND NOW it's on NETFLIX, or you can stream it from the website for less than a mocha. Watch it, show it to the impressionable youth in your life. IF YOU ARE an impressionable youth who mindlessly shops at Forever 21 at H&M watch this movie! Change you shopping habits and we can change the world :)

seriously though.

Thanks to Sound Unseen for showing the movie and I really encourage everyone to at the very least watch it once, go a little further and tell someone about it, about what you learned, encourage someone else to watch it. If you want ideas on hosting your own showing, reach out to me on my contact page! I'd love to help you spread the word.

xoxox, kp