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| Peaceable Kingdom Challenges Idea of 'Happy Meat' |
570 Views |
| posted on Friday, March 30, 2007 |
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THE JOURNEY HOME
TWO FILMMAKERS' NOTES ON THE ROAD TO A MORE PEACEABLE KINGDOM
Original Link
Jenny Stein and James LaVeck Write:
Dear Friends,
Eighteen months ago, we undertook the revision of Peaceable Kingdom <http://www.tribeofheart.org/pk.htm>. At the time, our intent was to replace one major story-line and to address questions about "humane" agriculture, and also to develop some new educational resources for the DVD. However, as we went out in the field and began shooting, the new film subjects we encountered and the stories they had to tell were so compelling, we realized we were in a position to take our exploration of the core moral issues, as well as our portrayal of the beauty and individuality of the animals, to an entirely new level. Energized by this unexpected opportunity, we updated our equipment and shooting skills, and went into full-production mode for the duration of 2006.
No film exists in a vacuum -- especially an activist documentary. At the very same time we were immersed in our production work, we were hearing from community educators, outreach staff at small sanctuaries, and those holding screenings of Tribe of Heart films how the farmed animal issues explored in Peaceable Kingdom were rapidly being reframed -- not only by the animal exploiting industries -- but also by some prominent institutional animal advocacy organizations.
A disheartening trend was emerging, animal groups collaborating with the animal industry on the development and promotion of "new and improved" animal products. Along with this came a growing willingness to co-mingle the language and identity of industry and advocacy, to the point where the public seemed to be losing the ability to tell the difference between the two.
With Peaceable Kingdom, this new trend meant that the very same film that was quite effective in inspiring a complete paradigm shift in 2004, in the present climate, might just as likely motivate the purchase of "happy meat" instead. And indeed, audience feedback during post-film discussions reflected such a shift.
This greatly concerned us, and having been encouraged by a number of humane educators and journalists who shared our sense that something very significant was happening outside the awareness of many animal advocates, we decided to break with a long-standing policy of refraining from public comment on animal movement affairs.
We then researched and wrote the three essays for Satya Magazine highlighted in this newsletter (see below), both to clarify our own thoughts, and to help encourage a much needed public dialog on these issues so critical to the future of animal advocacy. As you can well imagine, this experience played a significant role in shaping the themes and scope of changes we are now weaving into the new version of Peaceable Kingdom.
As a result, Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home will place less of an emphasis on exposing the abuses of industrialized farming and take a closer look at the paradox of "humane" farming: our society's willingness to morally examine the manner and methods we use to exploit farmed animals, while at the same time holding our right to kill those very same animals beyond question.
By inspiring personal responsibility and a new level of critical thought, Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home will invite its audience to join the subjects of the film on a life-affirming adventure of awakening and transformation.
With gratitude for your encouragement and support,
Jenny Stein and James LaVeck
Co-Founders, Tribe of Heart
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Sneak Peak Of "Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home"
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If you would like to receive occasional updates about the progress of the new version of Peaceable Kingdom, join our email list.
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IMPORTANT RELATED ARTICLES:
Compassion for Sale?
Doublethink Meets Doublefeel as Happy Meat Comes of Age
By James LaVeck
Satya Magazine
September 2006
Invasion of the Movement Snatchers:
A Social Justice Cause Falls Prey to the Doctrine of “Necessary Evil”
By James LaVeck
Satya Magazine
October 2006
Truthiness Is Stranger Than Fiction
The Hidden Cost Of Selling The Public On "Cage-free" Eggs
By James LaVeck
Satya Magazine
February 2007
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PEACEABLE KINGDOM RELATED ARTICLES:
DOCUMENTARY: LINKTV TO AIR 'THE WITNESS' (2/25/2006):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/10871
PEACEABLE KINGDOM: THE FIRST TEN MONTHS (12/15/2004);
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/8549
'A TRIBE OF HEART' DOCUMENTARIES (6/26/2004):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/7474
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NHNE Factory Farming Resource Page
NHNE Factory Farming (& Cruelty To Animals) News Stories
NHNE Animal Research & Intelligence News Stories
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In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Unless the information in question has been written and/or published by NHNE, NHNE has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article. NHNE is, therefore, not endorsed or sponsored by the originator, nor does NHNE necessarily endorse, promote, or agree with the content. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
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