Bag It is a documentary clearly in the style of Michael Moore's filmmaking. With humor and charm, Jeb Berrier investigates the path taken by plastic bags as they journey from the market where a clerk puts our groceries in them to the air, ocean, creeks and shipping containers where they become a source of suffering and ugliness.
Cut to cheerful Mr. Berrier walking through a supermarket, holding up other examples of plastic packaging. He manages in a moment to make these items appear ridiculous as he looks into the camera and asks why we need all this plastic. Does it really serve a purpose? If so, then why do we throw it away? Not just a little bit of it, but collectively millions of tons each year.
I confess that I have been one of the millions of people who, though I know better, have continued to shop without bothering to bring a bag. I justified my sloth by telling myself that the bags get recycled, so what does it matter? After seeing Bag It I can no longer think this way. Bag It is an important movie that I believe will have important consequences, both for those who see it and for the environment.
But most important of all, Berrier, like Michael Moore, pulls off the coup of making his point while making us enjoy watching him. See it to be entertained, informed and enlightened.
Cut to cheerful Mr. Berrier walking through a supermarket, holding up other examples of plastic packaging. He manages in a moment to make these items appear ridiculous as he looks into the camera and asks why we need all this plastic. Does it really serve a purpose? If so, then why do we throw it away? Not just a little bit of it, but collectively millions of tons each year.
I confess that I have been one of the millions of people who, though I know better, have continued to shop without bothering to bring a bag. I justified my sloth by telling myself that the bags get recycled, so what does it matter? After seeing Bag It I can no longer think this way. Bag It is an important movie that I believe will have important consequences, both for those who see it and for the environment.
But most important of all, Berrier, like Michael Moore, pulls off the coup of making his point while making us enjoy watching him. See it to be entertained, informed and enlightened.