Earthlings (film)

Earthlings

Festival poster
Directed by Shaun Monson
Produced by Shaun Monson
Nicole Visram[1]
Brett Harrelson[1]
Babak Cyrus Razi[1]
Maggie Q[1]
Persia White[1]
Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix
Music by Moby
Brian Carter
Natalie Merchant
Gabriel Mounsey
Barry Wood
Cinematography Mark M. Rissi
Edited by Shaun Monson
Distributed by Nation Earth
Release dates
  • September 24, 2005
Running time
 95 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Earthlings is a 2005 American documentary film about humanity's use of other animals as pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and for scientific research. The film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, features music by Moby, was directed by Shaun Monson, and was co-produced by Maggie Q, all of whom are practicing vegans.[1]

Plot

Covering pet stores, puppy mills, and animal profession, Earthlings includes footage obtained through the use of hidden cameras to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely on animals. It draws parallels between racism, sexism, and speciesism.

Production

The film started off as footage that writer, director, and producer Shaun Monson had shot at animal shelters around Los Angeles in 1999. Monson originally shot the footage for PSAs on spaying and neutering pets but what he saw moved him so much that he turned it into a documentary. The film would take another six years to complete because of the difficulty of obtaining footage within these industries.[2]

Promotion

Joaquin Phoenix commented on the documentary, "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."[3] Philosopher Tom Regan remarked, "For those who watch Earthlings, the world will never be the same."[4][5]

Accolades

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 at the San Diego Film Festival, (where it won Best Documentary Film, as well as the Humanitarian Award to Phoenix for his work on the film).

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Single Most Powerful Information With Professional Cast and Crew in EARTHLINGS". Nation Earth. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  2. ↑ "About | Earthlings.com". Earthlings.com. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  3. ↑ New Zealand debut screening a sell-out success! SAFE
  4. ↑ Earthlings review-press
  5. ↑

External links