BEST. NEWS. EVER.

I’ve been raving about Bold Native FOREVER, but until now it hasn’t been available to stream online. Of course you should buy the DVD (I own three copies), but this is a good start! The WHOLE movie is on YouTube!

Seriously, if you’ve ever loved an animal in your life, this movie will rock your world. If you’ve seen it, what did you think?

After yesterday’s post about male vegan hotties, I realized we’re in major need of some confident, gorgeous, & radiant vegan women!  Here’s your daily dose, photographed by my brilliant friend Melissa Schwartz!  Learn more about this project and these incredible ladies here: vGirls!

At this moment in time I have 2,000+ followers.  I think it’s safe to say the majority of you are vegetarians/vegans, and if you’re not, you almost definitely at least care about the safety & well-being of animals (if you don’t, I’m shocked that you’ve stuck around this long- but don’t leave, I embrace diversity!!).  My point is this- there are a LOT of you out there with a heart that is open to animals, and yet I have a sneaking suspicion there are still many of you who haven’t yet seen Bold Native.

I try to avoid beating you too hard over the head with anything- but here comes the exception- YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE.  I’ve seen it at least 10 times, because I learn/appreciate/relish something new with each viewing.  You’ll want to see it at least twice, because at times it can be a challenge to keep up with its action packed pace and timeline.

I wouldn’t taunt & tempt you with praise for this absolutely phenomenal film if it weren’t super easy for you to access.  Fortunately, it is!  You can either order the DVD at www.boldnative.com OR - you can rent/buy it on iTunes!  Talk about instant gratification.  Get it. Watch it. Then write me about it…because I seriously can’t get enough of discussing it.

“Bold Native is not a person, it’s an idea, that animals are not property, they’re not ours to use.  They are an end unto themselves.  Their freedom is beautiful, and their slavery is a horror.” - Charlie (Bold Native)

A few days ago, I received a request for a post on inspirational films related to vegetarianism/veganism.  Because I am heavily involved in both the film world and the animal welfare world, I can’t believe I haven’t already written such a post!  Although I have touched on some of these films in the past, it seems only right to put together somewhat of a database in one post.  You don’t have to be vegan/vegetarian to appreciate these films.  You need only to have ever loved, appreciated, or respected an animal in your life to see worth in these pieces of art.  Please check some of them out, and I would be thrilled to hear your responses to them:

1) Earthlings.

This groundbreaking documentary, directed by Shaun Monson and narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, has absolutely changed the world as far as animal rights education goes.  I know countless people who have made significant life changes just from seeing this movie.  It’s pretty hard not to.  It addresses the five primary ways in which humans use animals- as pets, as food, as clothing, as entertainment, and as test subjects for products/”science”.  I’ll say this upfront- it’s a difficult movie to get through.  However, it contains such crucial information that I think it’s important for every proponent of animal rights to see.  You can check out the trailer here, and watch it for free at www.earthlings.com. 

2) Bold Native

I won’t go on and on about this film, since I have already done so so much recently.  This fictional film addresses the most extreme group of animal rights proponents, who are so passionate about liberating abused animals that they risk their lives/futures to do so.  It’s an amazingly brilliant film, and it’s finally available to rent/buy on iTunes.  Definitely, definitely worth the $4.

3) I Am An Animal

This HBO documentary tells the story of Ingrid Newkirk, the co-founder of PETA.  Ingrid is one of the most controversial people in the animal rights movement, and they definitely address this issue in the film.  I’m not even sure if this film will motivate people to embrace a vegan lifestyle- it might even make people think you have to give up your normal life and become a crazy activist (YOU DON’T!), but I really enjoyed learning about her story.  I can’t find a trailer, but for a taste you can watch the first 7 minutes here.

4) Food Inc.

My only caveat with this film is that it makes “humanely treated meat” seem a little more real than it actually is.  It’s impossible to find humanely treated meat, because even the very, very few farms that are kind to their animals throughout their lives still send them to the same few slaughterhouses that treat their deaths the exact same way they treat animals from factory farms.  The only animal product I think is possible to obtain humanely is eggs, but you would pretty much have to raise and love your own chickens for that to occur.  Anyway, that said- this film is hugely important to see.  I know numerous people who saw it and either went vegetarian/vegan or at least significantly reduced the amount of animal products they consume.  It is a very professional, well-done, Oscar-nominated movie and I highly recommend it.  If you have Netflix, it’s available to watch instantly online.

5) Fast Food Nation

I haven’t seen this movie for quite some time, so I can’t get too detailed about it, but I know I loved it.  It’s nice because as far as I can remember, there is no real life documentary footage involved, so it’s a little tamer than some of the aforementioned films.  It still gets the message across, and it’s fun and funny at the same time.  It looks at the fast food industry from every possible perspective- animal rights, migrant worker rights, health, politics, etc.  

Edit: 

6) The Cove

I can’t believe I almost left out The Cove!  This fascinating film is so much more than a documentary.  It’s the James Bond of animal activism.  I’ve been privileged to meet many of the filmmakers as well as Ric O’Barry (the subject), so I can report that everyone involved in this film is still actively working to stop the dolphin slaughter.  Once you’ve seen the film, you should check out Sea Shephed, an organization dedicated to ending the murder of marine animals.  The Cove is also available for instant watch on Netflix!

Other Films:

* Forks Over Knives- New documentary about the extreme health crisis we are facing in America.  I haven’t seen it yet, but the trailer looks rad.

* Behind The Mask- Once you watch Bold Native, check out this documentary about the Animal Liberation Front.  It’s fascinating and emotional.  This trailer is kind of long, but it should give you a good idea of what’s addressed in the film.

* Babe- Okay, this is pretty different from the rest of these films, but I know it has turned numerous children (including myself) vegetarian.  James Cromwell, who plays Farmer Hoggins, went vegan after making this movie and is now a very involved animal activist.  I’m not sure the viewing experience has the same effect on adults, but I felt like I couldn’t leave it off the list!

Did I miss anything?

Bold Native is not a person, it’s an idea. That animals are not property, they’re not ours to use. They are an end unto themselves. Their freedom is beautiful, and their slavery is a horror.

Very, very, very exciting news.  Last week I posted about the incredible genius that is the film “Bold Native”.  It’s an adventure, it’s a drama, it’s a comedy, it’s a classic struggle between father and son, it’s the story of an outlaw on the run- but more than anything, it’s the tale of a few people who refuse to comply with a system that tortures and murders billions of animals a year.  Instead of simply lamenting this death and suffering, they decide to do something about it.

The reason I’m bringing this film back up is that as of today, it’s available to buy or rent on iTunes!  I’m so thrilled about this next step towards pushing Bold Native into the main stream.  Please, please, please support this groundbreaking film.  You don’t have to be vegan or an activist or anything along those lines to enjoy it- you simply have to have ever loved or felt compassion for a single animal in your life.  And I suspect that’s most of you, right?

Bold Native, 2010 - written and directed by Denis Henry Hennelly

“What is freedom?  Are we born free or do we earn it?  And if you deny freedom to the quiet ones, those who have no voice, can you be free yourself? Or are you caged by your own lack of compassion?  

My name is Charlie Cranehill.  You’ll read about me in the news.  See pictures of me with the word ‘terrorist’ after my name.  They say freedom isn’t free.  Absolutely God damn right.  We spend our lives saying no. Not me. Not my fight. Not my problem. Not tonight.  What’s the difference between you and me? A few years ago, I became someone who said Yes. Me. My fight. My problem. Tonight.”

You may have noticed by now that I’m a pretty verbose blogger at times.  At the moment, however, I can barely come up with words to praise this phenomenal movie that I’ve now watched three times this week.  The last 15 minutes contain some of the best filmmaking I’ve ever seen in my life.  You should see it if you appreciate independent film.  You should see it if you love eloquent writing.  You should see it if you love drama.  You should see it if you love comedy.  You need to see it if you’ve ever loved a single animal in your life.  DVDs are now available for purchase through the Bold Native website, and it will soon be available via iTunes (I’ll be sure to keep you posted when the time comes).

As a gesture of good faith that I’m going to get one of the Venice apartments I’m applying for, I’ve decided to start preparing my decor.  Hopefully my brother will have nothing to contribute, since I have plans for all open wall space.  So here’s a start, from left to right:

1) An oil painting I did a few months ago when unemployment was driving me insane.  I’d been saving some leftover film from college for a piece like this, and finally I bought some supplies to make it happen.  It’s supposed to symbolize my desire to improve the world using the medium of film…but also I like it because it’s hot pink :)

2) Pig “Hope” poster from the film Bold Native.  I bought it at World Fest and I’m obsessed with it.  I believe will be in the kitchen.

3) “Mermaids Welcome” sign.  I got this from the set of the film “The Details” that I worked on last summer (I’ve been working on a post about it- look for it soon!); this particular sign was hanging in Laura Linney’s character’s eccentric home.  I love it.  Maybe it will go on the front door?

4) John Lennon beach art.  My roommate bought me this from a lovely fellow on the Venice boardwalk.  Though the lyrics aren’t exactly accurate, the message is- and it’s from my absolute favorite song in the world.  (“Imagine”- in case you weren’t aware)

5) Sunflower photo.  My beautiful roommate took this photograph of my absolute favorite flower in my favorite country (Italy) and framed it for me as a gift.  I suspect there will be more sunflower related items around the house because I can’t get enough of them.

6) Oil painting of my baby, Shoof.  The aforementioned roommate’s mother painted it for me as a Christmas gift.  It captures his crazy eyes so wonderfully.  I can’t thank her enough for immortalizing my little mutt man. 

7) On the bottom of the frame, you’ll see an intricate red wall hanging.  It was made by Arab Bedouin women.  I believe I bought it in a Jerusalem market.  Anything I can do to support the local economy and cooperation (I’m lead to believe) between the Palestinian and Jewish community makes me happy.  Plus, it’s gorgeous, so I would probably buy it regardless.

This is just the beginning, but it gives me a pretty good idea of the abundant color and energy we’ll be surrounded by!  SO excited.