Boys We Heart: Joaquin Phoenix

This Golden Globe and Grammy Award winning actor, director, producer and social activist makes my heart go pitty pat. On Jan 2nd, 2008, I fell head over heels for Joaquin after watching a movie called “Earthlings.” It wasn’t his dreamy blue eyes or the sexy scar above his lip that did me in because he doesn’t even appear in the film. It was his voice. Over the course of two years, Joaquin worked on the narration for EARTHLINGS which is a feature length documentary about humanity’s absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called “non-human providers.”

With an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and finally the medical and scientific profession, EARTHLINGS uses hidden cameras and never before seen footage to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.

I commend Joaquin for being the voice to the ones that do not have one. It was a rude awakening for me, but one that was needed and as my friend Raymond said recently, ” I would rather embrace truth than hide from it.” You don’t have to turn vegan or stop wearing leather, but if you watch this movie it may open your eyes to what you have been putting in and on your body as well as the injustice these animals are served for our own pleasures and comfort. I bought the DVD so I can lend it to friends that are interested in watching it, but it is also available to watch online here.

Thanks Karen, once again. xx

Posted by thuy