EARTHLINGS
A Yoga in the Ojai Valley DVD Review
EARTHLINGS
Nature Animals Humankind MAKE THE CONNECTION
Watch the movie here: http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=119
Written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson.
Narrated by Academy Award Nominee Joaquin Phoenix.
Music by critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby.
This is the single most powerful and informative movie about society's treatment of animals! A must-see film for anyone who cares enough to know.
-- Woody Harrelson
The Humane Society calls EARTHLINGS "The definitive documentary film of all times that Americans don't want to see. "
If I had to name one movie that I want everyone to see, including my family, friends and yoga students, it would be EARTHLINGS . Then they would understand why I am so adamant that human beings must speak out on behalf of animals.
I saw EARTHLINGS with a friend. We are both animal advocates and have seen footage of slaughterhouses, fur farms, and other atrocities in other documentaries. We thought we were mentally prepared to see this film. We were not. We both wept and had to take periodic breaks. Several weeks have passed and even now, when I lie down on my yoga bolster and close my eyes, I cannot get the images I saw on EARTHLINGS out of my mind.
Narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix, EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humankind's absolute economic dependence on animals raised as pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research. Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, EARTHLINGS chronicles the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit. It includes segments on pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and experiments by the medical and scientific profession.
EARTHLINGS is the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests. It is by far the most powerful and informative movie about society's treatment of animals that I have ever seen. And, although much of the movie is difficult to watch, there are many uplifting parts, especially at the beginning and end.
EARTHLINGS is a masterpiece. If enlightenment begins with disillusionment, I guarantee you will be well on your way after you see EARTHLINGS!
For features, clips and a transcript of the film, visit www.IsawEarthlings.com.
Philosophically, EARTHLINGS reflects the writings of naturalist and author Henry Beston,
We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.
Note:
A transcript of the film appears on the website.This quote is originally from Henry Beston's book, The Outermost House
| Permalink | author bio | 
Comments (15)
Suza - You are obviously not the person that needs to see this movie. It's unfortunate that the people that do need to see it, usually don't!
Comment #1 Posted by: animal lover | March 9, 2008 11:44 AM
EARTHLINGS should be mandatory viewing by all of humankind.
Comment #2 Posted by: Anonymous | March 9, 2008 03:33 PM
More and more every day I become aware of areas where animals are exploited (usually cruelly). In fact, it appears that animals are viewed largely as existing simply for our benefit. I so wish that all animals could just enjoy their lives. More than that, I wish that all people could know just how much exploitation of another species of living beings is going on in the world today. This film could help.
Comment #3 Posted by: sharon | March 9, 2008 03:58 PM
Anyone who has the audacity to say things like, "But we need factory farms", "I don't want to know", "I just love animals too much" or "The Bible says we have dominion...", should then have the cajones to watch this film. It's time to pull the wool from your eyes and know the truth. Only then can you truly form an opinion. Otherwise, your opinion is based on ignorance and is worth nothing.
Comment #4 Posted by: Lizza Reed | March 9, 2008 06:06 PM
But we need factory farms !
Comment #5 Posted by: omnivor | March 9, 2008 06:47 PM
Great review! Now we need to get "Earthlings" played in the theater in downtown Ojai.
Comment #6 Posted by: KAYLA CAPPER | March 9, 2008 07:48 PM
Suza,
Thank you so much for this thoughtful post. I don't think the transcript of Earthlings can possibly do it justice because it is the visual reality that carries the impact. Also, the little film clips available on the website do not really accurately reflect what the film is actually about.
So there is just no substitute for actually seeing the DVD. But is it widely available? Can it be rented locally in video stores?
Comment #7 Posted by: david | March 10, 2008 08:53 AM
David, if you would be willing to call the local video stores and find out if they have EARTHLINGS, that would be great. If they don't have it, please ask if they can order it.
Also, ask the library. If they don't have it I will donate a copy so people can check it out for free.
Ingrid Boulting (yoga teacher) would like to show EARTHLINGS at Sacred Space Studio. I will announce the date here.
There is a free 7-minute clip on the website that is worth watching.
Comment #8 Posted by: Suza | March 10, 2008 09:53 AM
Great!
Let's have an Earthling party/benefit at Sacred Space.
Free admission if you come as a critter.
and free yoga classes to best costume.
(I'll come as "downward facing dog" ("adho mukha shvanasana"))
Can it wait till early April when I return from "Spring Breaqe"?
Comment #9 Posted by: El Anonimo | March 10, 2008 11:07 AM
Great idea El.A!
Yes, the timing will be closer to Earth Day (April 22)or in May.
I have a loan copy if anyone wants to watch it or show to a group.
Comment #10 Posted by: Suza | March 10, 2008 11:19 AM
I found a free download of EARTHLINGS. The beginning of this spiritual film is quite moving and beautiful. Please let us know if you watch it. I wish all churches would show this film for Easter. Then Christians might have mercy on the animal kingdom.
http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=119
Comment #11 Posted by: Suza EARTHLINGS | March 12, 2008 05:39 PM
This film depicts how cruel humanity can be to animals in a strong argument for vegetanarianism as well as veganism. It is comprehensive, emotional, powerful, biased but extremely informative. I am not a vegetarian nor a vegan, but I do believe that consumers should pressure companies to improve living conditions for the animals used for our products. After all, unlike humans, animals can’t speak for themselves; if we don't speak up for the rights of animals then no one will.
One complaint I have about this film is that it shows the extremes of animal abuse and doesn’t show more humane methods. I do not think that the choice of humane treatment of animals should simply be: be vegan or don't be. For example I do think there is a large moral difference in raising a cage free or caged hen. I also think that we all have the moral obligation for understanding the consequences of our actions. We should never hide from the truth even if it is ugly and our fault. Therefore, if you are curious enough and don't like running from the truth, watch this film.
Comment #12 Posted by: Omnivore On Earthling | March 12, 2008 06:04 PM
I love amimals, they're delicious !
Comment #13 Posted by: omnivor | March 12, 2008 10:10 PM
Do you eat cats, dogs and panda bears?
http://www.animalfreedom.org/english/information/dog_food_or_friend.html
"Custom will reconcile people to any atrocity."
--George Bernard Shaw
Comment #14 Posted by: Suza | March 13, 2008 09:31 AM
“Regarding” animals as akin to vegetables, does not make animals vegetables. It merely shows up the ignorance and stupidity of those that make this argument. Animals share much of our DNA, dogs as much as 75%, the primates and pigs even more than that.
Comment #15 Posted by: Suza | March 13, 2008 09:38 AM