The Ghosts in Our Machine

This is a beautifully done documentary. If you love animals' it is not to be missed. The four -leggeds, the winged ones, the ones who swim. They are all here, as Humans are here, to live out their lives to the best of their ability. Did you pay attention? Even after suffering, never being shown compassion,no "normal" living space,no care past being kept alive, either long enough to get fattened up for the kill, or long enough to suffer pain and mutation......EVEN THEN the rescued ones,bear no hatred of humans. They deserve LIFE. Life as Creator meant for them. I feel like I may be preaching to the choir... How do you get this movie in the living rooms of Corporate America?

This film puts you at the heart of animal cruelty by humans and those that are fighting for them. It helps to establish a connection and understanding as to why so many people want to help the voiceless. You get to see in their eyes in such a profound and clear way. You feel for them and the pain they endure. I can't think of a more effective way to help people relate to those of us that have dedicated our lives to ending the exploitation of innocent animals. The film is not all sad and depressing though. You also get to see those that have benefited from animal rights advocates through clips of animals that have been rescued. It is so joyful seeing the rescued animals running and playing in a happy and safe environment.

This stunning film is unlike any other of its subject matter you've ever seen.

Other animal-rights films often simply shock or desensitize with graphic, tragic imagery. While Ghosts In Our Machine does not altogether avoid footage of the disturbing realities that animals used for food, clothing and entertainment face, the filmmaker does an amazing job with balance and juxtaposition. TGIOM, through following the work of photographer Jo-Anne McArthur, exposes cruelty humans put animals through, but you will also meet rescued animals and their human caretakers who would not trade their work for anything in the world.

The cinematography is astoundingly beautiful, and haunting, with a soundtrack to match. The truth that this film brings to the world is that non-human animals are just like us; they feel love, joy, curiosity, and happiness, have friendships, play games, love their family members, and deserve lives free from the abuse, captivity, fear, emotional suffering and physical pain necessitated by industries that use animals. And yet the film is still able to let you decide that for yourself.

This beautifully told tale follows photographer Jo-Anne McArthur as she takes photos of individual animals used for entertainment, fashion, food, and research and seeks to bring her work to a wider audience.

It's the story of one woman following her calling and passion. She sees herself as a war photographer. She wants to save the world. Her work as a

McArthur's clear counterculture mission is animal liberation. The film follows her vision of animals as sentient beings who deserve to live their own lives for those lives' sake, not as as means to human ends. She documents animals' confinement and suffering.

It's an intriguing vision and watchable filled with gorgeous cinematography and many soulful eyes (sometimes filled with confusion and pain, but the film also shows images of animals at peace and pleasure).

This is director Liz Marshall's first animal rights film and she said after watching many other films in the genre she purposefully chose to steer away from more graphic images. It's often visually pleasing and even funny. Even so, it's overall effect is heart-wrenching.

Much of the film's power comes from its juxtaposition of images that contrast McArthur's conscious awareness of animal interests with the general disregard and commoditization of animals displayed in the dominant culture.

McArthur works to document and bring to light what industries take great pains to hide — the abuse of animals behind their products. She seeks to stimulate people's natural affinity with and compassion for animals to change these cruel systems.

Therefore, the film has a keen awareness of the animal origin (and the lives injured and cruel systems behind) products commonly seen and displayed while walking down a city street.

It's a perspective worth considering and a film worth watching.

The Ghosts in Our Machine is a brilliant look at the relationships that humans have with the animals that we see, or deny the existence of, every day. We see and get to know each of them through the lens of Animal Rights photographer Jo-Anne McArthur, we feel her emotion as her photographs tell a story few people know, and fewer want to hear. There is a beautiful balance of sorrow and joy in the film, and a hope that Jo-Anne's work with We Animals, and this film, will change the world for animals.

Anyone can watch this film and learn more about how they can become a part of the change. The films robust social media campaign provides support and resources on changes that anyone can make in their everyday life to help make the world a better place. For themselves, and for the Ghosts.