I first heard of the Work Less Party during the last civic elections, where it seemed that along with Woodwards, fun was on the political agenda. The Dance Party Party was also on the slate, who along with Conrad Schmidt's Work Less Party urged a relaxation of the archaic and draconian liquor laws that helped give Vancouver the image of a 'No Fun City'. But behind the Work Less Party's seemingly absurdist publicity stunts were real ideas on the nature of hyper capitalisms vicious cycle of work-shop-eat-sleep. They integrated environmental concerns with the frantic search for slave-made, brand name commodities and the subsequent overwork that results from this pursuit of happiness. Well, they've had a camera rolling the past 4 years or so, and this is the result of all that hard, or not so hard work.
What I have always enjoyed about the Work Less Party is how they manage to utilize subversive tactics without alienating the working stiff. When activists target particular consumer trends alone, the very people they are trying to free from corporate slavery are often threatened, as sadly their identities are closely interwoven with the products they consume- an attack on Nike is an attack on the people who wear Nikes. They always manage to make it fun, but without delving into hippy love-ins. For example, what better way to protest highway expansion than by having a street hockey game? Everybody loves hockey! Or what better way to protest the Molson Indy than to have your own race on bicycles and call it the Wholesome Undy? Or what better way to show that people are in too much of a hurry than by issuing speeding tickets to pedestrians?
"This film documents the wildest adventure in the history of BC politics (at least since our wacky second Premiere Amor de Cosmos). Take a behind-the-scenes look into a unique campaign focused on not only taking over Legislature but also trying to take a bite out of how we view the relationship between our work and its impact on the world. With the help of wild fundraising parties, grassroots, guerilla activism, and good, old-fashioned debate, this film takes a look from outside the box at important issues others are ignoring."
Staring:
The Work Less Party
C.R. Avery, Third Eye Tribe, and a whole lot of other local music
the Rat Race
Ratheon: the local arms industry
road hockey activism
and naked cyclists!
PLUS virtually everybody who lives on Commercial Drive.
(Not kidding - If you live on the drive you are probably in the film)
The World Premiere:
Thursday November 10th,
Van East Theatre (2290 Commercial Drive @ 7th Avenue)
Show-time: 8 pm.
Tickets: sliding scale $5 -> $10.
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds!
To view the trailer click here (4meg), click here
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Comments
that is awesome.
Posted by: degan at November 1, 2005 06:12 PM
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