Living on One Dollar

Moviecut—Living on One Dollar

source: Living on One Dollar

You can take this for what it's worth. Some of the IMDb critics make good points, some just reveal their inner hang-ups. Yes, two college kids decide to "go for it" in a poor land. Good for them. Yes, they did not work but made a budget to simulate life in poverty on a buck a day. I also felt like they had a cushion called a bank account. They at least strove for integrity with the paper number each day. This did lack depth of character. They discussed these people had much more going than what the surface showed, but did not go there. Mistake. They are college kids, not Spielberg! If you take what they gave us, work with it. They at least did something and need credit for that! Bottom line is those in the States are like the frog in water. We are boiled to death in Western culture and those in "poverty" have far greater riches which should have been the focus. Relationships are more solid over there. Male-female roles not confusing. Walk by faith a daily occurrence. When you have little, people are what matters. We have lost most of this in the USA. People are so consumed in their own lives (technology has made life worse relationally) that they do not trust anyone and live shallow, desperate lives by being busy to drown out the loneliness. When life crashes in, who do you call? We call 9-11, they call each other. Don't get me wrong, we are blessed, but we don't need each other anymore like they do. So who truly is more rich?

It's very seductive to judge this documentary, based on what we think a 'moral documentary' should be look like. During the film I found myself to be distracted, and having trouble to sympathize AT ALL with the guys. There was no sense of emergency at all, it was an adventurous experiment within a time frame that was fixed, so no matter how much they would screw it, there was clearly a safe exit waiting for them after the two months. The moments that the film does reach its peaks is when they talk, interact with the people from the village. Those were the highlights of the film, able to pull me back into the film. The stories from Anthony, Rosa and Chino were eyeopening and humbling. They showed a community of generous people who you wish well and triggered an urge in me to help. I could not care more or less about the 4 students, because I know they will be fine, and after their adventurous experiment, they'll get back to their lavish lifestyles, and probably get an honorable remark for their work (which they did), get a good job and live a good life. So if you would judge it as a moral documentary, it has major flaws, evoking little sympathy, with a shallow plot. I also kept on wondering - will they donate some money after they have finished their project? But if you would judge it as it is, a student project, initiated by four college boys, who, I assume are no filmmakers, with the premise to 'live their hypothesis' as part of a school research, then I would take my hat off for their effort.

"Living on one dollar" is an adventure for the cast and the audience. Living on one dollar is about a group of grads that experience extreme poverty in another country, and how the people there survive with one dollar a day. the four cast members each get one dollar a day and they have to live in a shack together for 56 days and maintain there daily allowance. It also shows the audience and the cast how poverty is affected in other countries and how society should always be grateful for what they earned and contain because some people have it worse than others. "Living on one dollar" is a must watch because today's society is uneducated about about the true problems in the world.

I was impressed that these kids decided to do something that could have been dangerous, as one of them did get sick and needed medicine, and admitted that they were lucky enough to have emergency medicine to take care of it, while most of the people in Pena Blanca would not have had it. I liked that the people in Pena Blanca were open to speaking their own opinions and talked about what life is really like for them. There is a wonderful pride, and joy, in their lives while it is also a real struggle. I think that the negative reviews that this documentary has received are probably from a people that have never even tried to live on one dollar a day, or lived in a foreign culture, and just like to complain about people that do try to make a difference. These kids weren't out to change the world or lecture people on what they should do, they just wanted to show that they cared, their lives are much easier (as they mentioned a few times) and this is how a large amount of people in this world have to survive. I've lived in China, trust me, they are right. If people think these are just rich kids who are taking it easy, go and try it yourself. I have a feeling you'd be calling mommy in a week and crying to come home. I respect these 4 boys for sticking it out and learning how tough it can be to be poor and undernourished.

Having traveling and worked in Guatemala for the past 5 years, I was amazed at how real and compelling this film was. It's not often that someone can truly capture the heart behind what it's like to live in poverty, but these 4 brave, young men did a fabulous job bringing it to life. Our 4 children were all inspired and went away wanting to do something to help alleviate poverty. They began selling beaded key chains made by the women of Guatemala and in just one week, they collected over $450. They were so excited to go to www.mayanfamilies.org and purchase water filters so kids wouldn't have to drink from the dirty pipe anymore. Great job guys! Thanks for helping us all to see the heart behind the courageous people who live this way everyday.

This was a film project that will forever impact and change the lives of the four young men that took the chance to fulfill this project. Reading over the reviews whoever rates this negatively I say to you "uhm, and when was the last time you tried this??" This was an earnest, brave approach, well thought out and done with best of intentions. I believe they have figured out what it takes to live on one dollar a day in one of the poorest countries. The filming was well done (visually gorgeous), you can see the emotion in all of the faces, the families are well represented and I really hope Chico, Rosa , Anthony and the their families continue to do well. This in NOT about "privileged young white boys" or saving "poor foreigners" this is about rolling up your sleeves and seeing the issues where they are. GOOD JOB GUYS and thank you taking the chance to do this.

Lets get to brass tacks. The peer reviewed work show the main premise, that "1.1 billion people around the world live on less than one dollar a day" is FALSE. It is a plan and simple lie. The VAST majority of that 1.1 billion are engaged in activities where they earn, create or barter for on average US cost of living equivalent of $50 a day. In this film we see farmers who are growing US equivalent $25 or $50 a day, owning or renting their home for a portion of their farm production, eating that food, and spending the $1 on other. How is someone who is bartering $100 worth of food they grow each month for rent, and eating $10 worth of food they grow each day: "living on $1 a day???" And where is relative cost of living taken into account? Do you know what a pound of rice and a pound of lentils sells for in S.E asia? About 1/15th the cost in the US. And what is with all the 8-10 star reviews being from single use accounts? Sounds shilly to me.

As I watched this movie, it brought me back to the times I've been to that region to help the people there. I have recommended this movie to anyone who has asked me what it's like there in a country where as much as the beauty takes your breath away, so does the poverty. These young man did a great job showing the viewer what challenges are faced in the region around Lake Atitlan. The uncertainty of life in this area was shown. These young men made a difference in the lives of the people there and as the people have for me, made a difference in the lives of these young men. If you have an hour to watch this movie, please take the time and do so, it will not be time wasted, it may just inspire you to do something to make a difference in someones life