EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity’s absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called “non-human providers.” The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby. 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 never before seen 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. Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests. There are many worthy animal rights films available, but this one transcends the setting.
This movie made me cry watching it. We all really need to start thinking about our choices and what we contribute to in our daily lives. Understanding the chain from production to the store shelf is essential. This film filled in a lot of the blanks for me about steps in the process that I never see. It helped me understand the implications of my buying actions. I have to say it made me happy I’m a vegetarian. This isn’t the reason I became a vegetarian altogether, but it reinforces the choice I made.
I think this is an important entry for the political discussion as well. Food and energy are two potential flash points for humanity, so I think we should all be educating ourselves so that we can understand the implications and take appropriate actions in the future. We’re disrupting both eco-systems and natural resources in significant ways and our rate of consumption in both respects is going to change in the near future. The oil is finite and will disappear sooner than later and eco-systems that are disrupted are going to have far reaching affects. Most environmental scientists are predicting a cascade crash of biological systems. If you watch a lot of films like Zeitgeist you start to ask the question, “Is this destruction all planned?”. It’s a scary, scary thought.
