- [Narrator] Are you considering ditching meat and dairy
in favor of a plant-based diet?
Whether you're considering making the switch
for health, environmental, or animal welfare concerns,
here are 10 documentaries
to make you rethink your food choices.
Number one: "Cowspiracy."
"Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret"
is a groundbreaking environmental documentary
directed by filmmakers Kip Anderson and Keegan Kuhn.
The 2014 film follows Anderson as he explores the impact
that industrial factory farming has on the planet
and investigates why some of the world's
leading environmental organizations
refuse to speak out against the animal agriculture industry.
(intriguing music)
- You're going up against people
that have massive legal resources, and you have nothing.
- [Man] We're in the middle of the largest mass extinction
of species in 65 million years.
- Let's look at the fundamental problem here.
- No one wants to talk about it.
- They're membership organizations, a lot of them.
They're looking to maximize
the number of people making contributions.
- I don't necessarily know what it is.
- [Narrator] For those worried
about the state of the planet,
the film just may have you second guessing
the meat on your plate.
The film exposes a number of environmental concerns
linked to animal agriculture.
These include global warming, deforestation,
and ocean dead zones.
Number two: "The Game Changers."
Released in 2019, this highly-anticipated
James Cameron-produced vegan documentary
explores the misconception that meat is necessary
for muscle building and strength.
Directed by Oscar-winner Louie Psihoyos,
the film follows former UFC fighter James Wilkes
as he recovers from an injury.
He travels to four different continents to meet with dozens
of the world's strongest plant-based athletes.
These include six time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton,
former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger,
runner, Scott Jurek, and weightlifter Kendrick Farris.
- When I made the switch to a plant-based diet,
I qualified for my third Olympic team.
I broke two American records.
- [Arnold Schwarzenegger] I ate a lot of meat.
They show those commercials.
- [Announcer] Steak. That's what a man eats.
- Selling that idea that real man eat meat.
- [Announcer] Serious man food!
- But you've got to understand that's marketing.
That's not based on reality.
- [Narrator] If you're a fitness or gym enthusiast,
this film just might make you reconsider
where you get your protein from.
Number three: "What the Health."
Following the success of "Cowspiracy,"
filmmakers Anderson and Kuhn
decided to explore the impact
meat and dairy has on people's health too.
The 2017 film highlights the many health benefits
of a plant-based diet
and exposes the reluctance of various health organizations,
such as the American Heart Association
and the American Cancer Society
in identifying the negative effects
of consuming animal products.
- There's a very strong pharmaceutical industry
and lobby that has a huge stake
in preserving the status quo.
- We've got a $35 billion stat and drug industry.
Do they every want to see that go away?
- The government's bed with anyone
that goes them the most money.
- [Narrator] If you're considering going vegan
for your health, this documentary is sure to inspire you
to make the switch.
Number four: "Forks over Knives."
Before "What the Health?"
began promoting veganism to the world,
the 2011 documentary "Forks over Knives"
revealed the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet.
The film features a variety of vegan nutrition experts,
including Dr. T. Colin Campbell,
the author of the China study.
- This is the Atlas of cancer mortality in China.
- Virtually the Western diet was nonexistent.
They had no animal products. They had no dairy, no meat.
- We learned that we could turn on
and turn off cancer growth,
just by adjusting the level of intake of that protein.
- Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure
cost this country more than $120 billion each year.
- [Narrator] The film advocates that a low-fat,
whole food vegan diet may help avoid
or reverse these chronic diseases.
Number five: "Dominion."
narrated by a host of plant-based celebrities
like Joaquin Phoenix, Kat Von D Sadie,
Sadie Sink, and Sia,
"Dominion" is not for the faint of heart.
The 2018 film exposes animal cruelty
prevalent in the animal agriculture industry.
The film uses hidden cameras and aerial drones
to go undercover on factory farms.
- [Phoenix] Most people consider themselves animal lovers.
We recognize them not as objects,
but as complex beings with whom we share the planet,
our lives ...
our homes.
So for those who feed, clothe or entertain us,
we choose to follow a narrative that minimizes
or altogether eliminates their suffering.
- [Narrator] An eyeopener, this vegan film
will have you questioning why you consider some animals
as pets and others as dinner.
Number six: "Running for Good."
Following "Cowspiracy" and "What the Health,"
Keegan Kuhn's 2018 sports documentary "Running for Good"
follows world-record marathon runner Fiona Oakes
on her mission to set a new world record
in endurance racing.
Vegan actor James Cromwell,
star of the 1995 film "Babe"
is tje film's executive producer.
Oakes, who's been vegan since the age of six,
competes in the toughest foot race on earth,
despite losing a kneecap from an illness when she was 17.
- [Oakes] I always told I wouldn't walk again properly,
let alone would I be able to do sporting activities,
especially things like running.
Definitely know what it's like to suffer myself,
so I can relate with other beings,
whether they be human or not.
- [Narrator] Along with showing that you don't need
to eat meat in order to compete,
the female-focused film is a compelling true story
about grit, determination, and perseverance.
Number seven: "73 Cows."
The 2018 award-winning short documentary film
directed by Alex Lockwood,
"73 Cows" tells the journey of Jay Wilde,
the first farmer in the UK to trade beef farming
for organic vegan farming.
The documentary follows Wilde
and his wife Katja's transition away from meat farming
after wild shares, a special connection with the animals
he intended to raise for slaughter.
(gentle string music)
- [Jay] Working as a farmer,
I just needed to keep doing it
until I could find what else to do.
- It became clear that we really have to find a solution
and to get out of cattle farming.
- [Narrator] Just like Wilde,
this film may have you trading in beef
for plant=based meats instead.
Number eight: "The Animal People."
Produced by vegan Academy Award-winning actor
Joaquin Phoenix, 2019's "The Animal People"
follows six animal rights advocates
on their mission to expose
one of the world's largest animal testing labs.
But the activists are labeled terrorists
by big business and law enforcement.
- U.S. attorneys called it a campaign of terrorism.
- We didn't break anything. We didn't burn anything.
We didn't beat anyone. We didn't even so much as trespass.
Our crime is doing exactly what I'm doing right now:
speaking.
Every ounce of progress we've had
towards a more just world
has come because there were people
who were willing to fight and willing to sacrifice.
- If we said set up this free speech zone,
which makes you wonder, then what's everything
outside of the free speech zone?
- [Man] There were more wiretaps used against people
associated with this movement
than any other counter-terrorism investigation
in U.S. history.
- [Narrator] In addition to inspiring you
to go cruelty-free, this film may just encourage you
to ditch meat and dairy too.
Number nine: "Invisible Vegan."
This 90-minute independent documentary
explores diet-related disparities
prevalent in the African American community.
It also explores the health and wellness benefits
of a plant-based lifestyle.
The 2019 film directed by Jasmine and Kenny Leyva,
chronicles actress and filmmaker Jasmine's
personal experience of eating a plant-based diet.
It features a number of vegan celebrities,
including former NBA player John Sally,
and actor and comedian Cedric the Entertainer,
as well as vegan activists like Genesis Butler.
- The government encouraging people to eat foods
that it knew would make them sick
because of the lobbying efforts of the industry.
And that's really reprehensible.
(emotional vocal music)
- I grew up in DC eating the standard American diet.
I initially identified veganism as a white thing.
It was because I didn't know my history.
All I knew was a we turned scraps into soul food,
and I thought that was our only culinary legacy.
♪ Barbecue tofu ♪
- You have systemic inequality,
people who are being beaten down by the detritus of life.
- [Woman] Access to healthy foods in this country
has become a privilege instead of a right
which it should be.
- [Narrator] This film offers a compelling perspective
on plant-based eating,
showing veganism isn't just about food,
but that it's an intersectional issue.
Number 10: "The Last Pig."
This 2017 multiple award-winning documentary
follows the life of a pig farmer
who contemplates the ethics
of sending his pigs to slaughter.
"The Last Pig" highlights a variety of ethical topics
like the sanctity of life, compassion and equality.
- [Man] I really love being around these incredible animals.
I feel an obligation to give them the best life that I can.
After 10 years of looking into thousands of pig eyes,
I've come to understand that they're never vacant.
There's always somebody looking back at me.
- [Narrator] The film, which vegan musician Moby
said was startling, honest and deeply beautiful,
may make you reevaluate your relationship
with the animals you serve on your plate.
Feeling inspired to make the switch
to a plant-based diet yet?
Let us know which one of these films you'll be watching next
in the comments below.
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