sgb

The first act lived up to the promising premise: visceral terror meets religious fervour in Red State American sociopolitical stew. But then it went off the rails, a train wreck in slow motion of imploding drama. Why? Unbelievable plot development and characterizations. Even the scenery-chewing Michael Parks, with his long hair, goatee, glasses and preppy casual wear, looked more like a hip Marxist-Leninist poli-sci prof than a rabid old-time religion preacher. And his drawl was too much of a mumble. How can you suspend disbelief in a story that becomes more unbelievable - less in touch with credible human behaviour - with every new scene? Too bad. It could have been a cult classic.

Peaceable Kingdom is a one-of-a-kind, good cop/bad cop cinematic work over for people who love animals but still eat them. This independent nonprofit production company - aptly named Tribe of Heart - doesn't just rub viewers' noses in extended footage of the brutality farmed animals typically endure today, it spends most of its time uplifting us with a vision of a peaceable kingdom where those same animals are as dear to people's hearts as any pet dog or cat. That peaceable kingdom is here and now, if only on a small scale, at a large and legendary (in the animal rights and welfare community) rural property and nonprofit organization in upstate New York called Farm Sanctuary.

If the stick of Peaceable Kingdom is the footage of abused farm animals, the carrot is the story of Farm Sanctuary and the people of all ages who visit it every week, celebrating the sacred bond between animal and human. Director Jenny Stein focuses on a few very special visitors who tell their stories to the camera. Particularly moving is the story of a young former animal farmer, former conflicted 4-H kid, who lost his compassion for farm animals growing up and regained it on a visit to Farm Sanctuary.

He no longer farms or eats animals; he advocates for them. If you see this deeply moving film you may too.