The Real Thing

Using physical media (16mm, VHS) destroyed by Coca-Cola, The Real Thing contrasts the famous ad “I’d Like To Buy The World A Coke” with The Coca-Cola Company’s 2018 scandal: unconscionable water privatization in Chiapas, Mexico.

Coca-Colanol film developer was formulated with guidance from Dagie Brundert.

(Please note: The Real Thing critiques and transforms “I’d Like To Buy The World A Coke” and as such qualifies as Fair Use.)

“Simple, direct, and brilliant activist art — Villarosa uses the company’s literally corrosive product to physically destroy their feel-good advertising to draw attention to the real harm this US company is doing to people & ecosystems around the world.” -- Jason Kottke, I’d Like To Deprive The World of Water (To Make More Coca-Cola), kottke.org/20/02/id-like-to-deprive-the-world-of-water-to-make-more-coca-cola

Official Selection, Slamdance Film Festival
Official Selection, Cucalorus Film Festival
Official Selection: Honor Mention, Independent Film Tour MX
Official Selection, Dallas Medianale
Official Selection, Chicago Underground Film Festival
Official Selection, Athens International Film + Video Festival
Official Selection, Atlanta Film Festival
Official Selection, Indie Grits Festival