The title of this documentary caught my eyes which I received an e-mail from Sinema.sg introducing this documentary. Living without MONEY. How can someone live without any money? How would she settle her daily necessities? Did she went to become a farmer and grows her own vegetable and rares animals for food? I have all sorts of questions in my mind, so there I am at Old School Sinema ready to find out the answers.
Didn't made any reservations online and was told that the show was fully booked. Luckily, they went in and found someone who reserved the tickets but couldn't turn up so we got the last pair of tickets. It's really full house in the theater. Nearly have to end up sitting at the staircase by the side. Luckily, found a seat and cramped in with bf.
For the true spirit of this film, we wasn't even charged for the tickets. There's a barter exchange system and by bringing something of value to Sinema will be able to exchange for the movie ticket. The list of items is limitless and includes office stationery, batteries, food, instant noodles, cookies, drinks etc. Strictly no money is involved.
This documentary portraits the life of a 68 years old German woman called Heidemarie Schwermer. After encountering a major setback with her marriage, she moved house and saw many homeless people. With her strong belief that the homeless do not need money to re-enter the society, instead they have to make themselves useful. Quoted by her, "I've always believed that even if you have nothing, you are worth a lot. Everyone has a place in this world." She set up a kind of swap shop (Tauschring) to help those homeless people. In this shop, people exchange their skills or possessions for other skills and possessions. It's a money free zone where a haircut can be exchange for a massage, a still functioning telephone for some second hand clothings.
She took one step further in 1996 when she decided to live without money. She gave up her apartment, gave away her belongings and pension money and brings along with her nothing but a suitcase of clothes. She moved from house to house, in return for menial work. Sometime, strangers invited her and paid for her transportation fare just so that she can live with them as they are curious on how she survived. We saw how she went to the super-mart to ask the owner to share some daily necessities in exchange for her helping to clean the shop. She claimed to feel free like a bird and definitely stress free as she lived this alternative lifestyle. We saw how often she traveled, how she went on TV shows and get nervous, how she talked to owners to get something in exchange.
This documentary really calls for a reflections. Why do we want to desire for that 10 over pair of shoes when we can just settle for 3 for the most basic? Why do we keep complaining that money is not enough? Is it really things are getting more and more expansive? Or are we getting more and more greedy and can't even be satisfied for the basic of life? Think about it, how many things we actually buy on impulse which we later put in the wardrobe and the item ended up not being used at all. Not that I think we can live without money in Singapore but just hope that we can have this true spirit of give and share and being selfless instead of complaining and demanding.
