In Films on Demand: this program examines cultural and psychological aspects of what is now an archetypal suburban experience: shopping at the mall. Visiting “cathedrals of consumerism” throughout North America—from the Southdale, Minnesota, progenitor of the enclosed retail mall to the absurdly spectacular Grand Canal Shoppes and Desert Passage in Las Vegas—the video raises fundamental questions about consumer identity and diversity. Evoking “experience retail” as a conceptual counterpoint to Internet-driven home shopping, the program also catalyzes inquiry into the relationship between economics, architecture, and human interaction. (47 minutes)

In Films on Demand: Shopping, once simply a basic task, now vies with television as America’s most popular leisure activity. How are retailers cashing in on all that discretionary spending? From the Turkish bazaar to the Mall of America, this program reveals the strategies being used to ensure that wallets and purses remain open for business. Retail anthropologist Paco Underhill, shopping center architect Eric Kuhne, retail analyst Claire Williams, Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos, and Geoff Burch, "the world’s most persuasive man," share their insights into the importance of advertising, store design, product placement, and buyer behavior analysis—all underlying aggressive new approaches that have redefined consumers as targets. Original BBC broadcast title: Buy-ology: Program 2. (51 minutes)

When Tomoko finds some messages for a Mr. Smith on a lost mobile phone, she finds herself on an “Alice in Wonderland” journey through Tokyo’s boulevards and back alleys. From the tyranny of symmetry in soaring office blocks to buildings that look like spaceships, this creative documentary reveals the city’s soul. And as Tomoko watches the sun rising over buildings ranging from imperial to space-age styling, from the height of function to the height of whimsy, the spirit of the city—encompassing past, present, and future—comes alive. This breathtaking documentary was created by Bafta-award-winning director, Iain Overton. (50 minutes)