As a rule, I have never left a review for a movie I haven’t finished. Unless, I get so frustrated that I can’t stand to sit through the remainder. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll consider watching all of Christspiracy’s running time. The film delves into the sociology of religions and how religions have revolved around animals and even today’s animals are being mistreated by the religious institutions that control the masses. The film is directed by Kip Anderson who made Seaspiracy, Cowspiracy and What the Health. Together with kameron Waters, the two filmmakers attempt to bring to light a conspiracy that has existed for over 2000 years.
I am someone who identifies as a vegetarian and grew up a Christian, however, I have never been able to see the two in communion. One does not beget Becoming a vegan for the sake of being a Christian is never the case, and neither is seeing Christians in that rationale. But the depiction of their severed development, and its history, was so captivating that it left one utterly astounded. With some of the information in hand, it is mind-blowing that such a concept has not been explored previously. Furthermore, it makes one question the rationale behind so many things being suppressed. In most cases, it’s always about power and money.
One of the interesting aspects of the film for me is the complete potential of this medium. On a past project, during a screening, Kier Anderson had been posed a question by Kameron Waters that pertained to faith and ethics, which, unfortunately, he had no answer for. That marked the beginning of their friendship. Because of one instance, this film came into existence, their devotion to the mission and the togetherness to document whatever they have and spread it across other countries. So while movies can be instructional or simply entertaining, there is much more in them. They enable us to experience ideas, things, and people beyond in ways that are possible in the real world. I cannot say much about how the penultimate scene ends, but from what I witnessed, the central focus of this film was the definition of greed and the power and politics behind religion and its abuse towards animals. At various instances, we see a variety of people including professors, doctors and religious leaders but all of them do not succeed in providing the answer to the common question: “Is there an ethical or spiritual way to kill an animal?”
The reason I couldn’t continue onto later portions of the film was the graphic depictions and the images of complete and utter ignorance of the people who we hear in the film.
Their abhorrent attitude towards the animals made me feel sick at some points it felt like I had to cover the screen with my hands in order to avoid certain sights. Anderson and Waters have produced a film that will horrify as well as enlighten, and, more importantly, reconfigure how we view faith and morality concerning everything – not only how we treat animals. The filmmakers are not here to take the easy way out, or simply serve the basic information about the plot to us. They are prepared to lose everything just to deliver what is important for us to know.
Kip Anderson has stated, “The film and truth will strike you brutally.” He is right. I’m not sure that I would even like to see how the film actually ends, but one cannot dispute the strength that this project possesses as well as the contacts they had. Whatever it is you believe, this film is very graphic in nature and for all its supporters, leaves you considering the issues raised long after you have seen whatever part of the film you have managed to see.
Christspiracy will be released in UK cinemas on 20th March, with a remarkable fifty percent of the filmmakers’ net proceeds from ticket sales being given to animal charities.
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