Earthlings (documentary)

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Earthlings
Nature – Animals – Humankind – Make the Connection
Directed by	Shaun Monson
Narrated by	Joaquin Phoenix and Persia White
Music by	Moby
Distributed by	-USA- Nation Earth -non USA- Nation Earth
Release date(s)	2006
Running time	95 minutes
Language	English
Official website
IMDb profile

Earthlings is a 2005 multi-award winning documentary written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson and co-produced by Persia White. The film was narrated by Hollywood actor and animal rights activist Joaquin Phoenix. Earthlings also features an original score by musician and activist Moby.

1 Synopsis
2 Production
3 External links
4 Reviews

[edit] Synopsis

Earthlings is a documentary about factory farming and mankind's dependence on animals for food, clothing, entertainment and use in experimentation, but also shows how moral those relations are.

With an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and finally the medical and scientific profession, Earthlings uses hidden cameras and footage to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.

[edit] Production

Earthlings took five years to produce. What began as a series of Public Service Announcements on spaying and neutering pets, evolved into a feature-length film on every major animal-related issue. Writer/Director Shaun Monson began the process by shooting footage at animal shelters in South Central L.A., Long Beach and North Hollywood. The PSAs were soon completed as his interest moved to other problem areas, like food and scientific research. In time, he accumulated a small library of material from several animal welfare organizations, and started editing. The process was a slow one. As footage gradually came in, Joaquin's narration was recorded (in stages), and a soundtrack was added. Along with all of Moby's music, some original pieces were also written for the film. In 2005, Earthlings premiered at the Artivist Film Festival, (where it won Best Documentary Feature), followed by the Boston International Film Festival, (where it won the Best Content Award), and most recently at the San Diego Film Festival, (where it won Best Documentary Film, as well as the Humanitarian Award to Joaquin Phoenix for his work on the film). EARTHLINGS is available on DVD starting November 4, 2005.

Phoenix has commented on the documentary that "Of all the films I have ever made, this is the one that gets people talking the most. For every one person who sees Earthlings, they will tell three."