Skin Trade

Very few people are aware of the horrors that the fur industry inflicts upon innocent beings. In this revealing look behind the industry lies, the viewer learns a brutal truth. These animals are neither raised in humane conditions, nor "humanly killed". In exchange for a moment of vanity, many people turn their eyes away from the vicious cruelty involved in producing fur products. This film forces the viewer to focus on the reality caused by their actions instead.

I found the editing (Gene Blalock) to be top-notch, as the viewer is taken from one interview after another, not once feeling as though this was simply slapped together. The superb pacing meant that I was never bored with interviews, nor overwhelmed with graphic imagery.

Award-winning director Shannon Keith is no amateur when it comes to producing hard-hitting exposes about animal exploitation industries. Her earlier work, "Behind the Mask", skillfully revealed the hearts and minds of animal rights activists, showing them to be the compassionate warriors that they really are. Her most recent film "Sanctuary" is a look at some of the animal sanctuaries which provide homes for monkeys that were previously used in the entertainment industry and as victims of cruel research experiments. Ms. Keith's fine talents and obvious passion about the subject shine through in all three films.