I’ve never written a review for a film I haven’t finished before. I always like to see the end of everything I start watching, but I’m halfway through Christspiracy and I don’t think I can continue. The film is an investigative documentary that explores the historical connection between religions and their animals, and how influential religious leaders of all faiths have overlooked, even promoted, animal exploitation. Made by Kip Anderson, the mind behind the award-winning Seaspiracy, Cowspiracy and What the Health, he joins forces with filmmaker Kameron Waters to expose a 2,000-year-old cover up.
I’m a vegetarian, and was bought up as a Christian, yet I’ve never connected the two. I’m not one because of the other, but to see the history and breakdown of their links in this film was so interesting. Now I have some of the facts, it’s a wonder that this idea hasn’t come to light before, and really makes me wonder why certain things are kept as a locked secret. Well, the answer is usually wealth and influence.
Something that brings me joy from the film is the power that this medium has. At a screening for a previous project, Kip Anderson was asked a question by Kameron Waters about religion and ethics that he couldn’t answer. This began their friendship. That one moment led to this film being made, their commitment to the cause and each other to capture everything they could and share their findings with the world. Films do more than just provide education or entertainment on a screen. They open us up to worlds, thoughts and people, so much more than we could do in just our everyday lives. I can’t comment on the ending, but from what I’d seen, this film dived deep into the greed, power and control behind religion and its treatment of animals. We meet professors, doctors and religious leaders, who fail to answer the question: “Is there an ethical or spiritual way to kill an animal?”
The reason I couldn’t watch anymore of the film was the intense imagery and thoughtlessness of the people we hear from. Their horrific attitude towards animals made me feel sick – there were moments I had to cover the screen with my hands to block out certain visuals. Anderson and Waters have created a film that will shock and educate, as well as change the ways we think about faith and ethics in relation to everything, not just our treatment of animals. The filmmakers aren’t here to play it safe, or just give us the top line details for the story. They’re ready to risk it all to tell us something we should know.
Kip Anderson has said, “The film and truth will shock you to the core.” He’s correct. I don’t know if I want to see how the film concludes, but you can’t deny the power this project has and the access they’ve been able to get. Whatever you believe, this documentary is a tough watch that will leave you thinking about the topics for a long time after watching, however much of the film you see.
Christspiracy comes to UK cinemas on 20th March, with fifty percent of the filmmakers’ net proceeds from ticket sales being donated to animal charities.
