BEYOND CLOSED DOORS Places Best Hope for Ethical Treatment of Farm Animals in the Hands of Average Americans

BEYOND CLOSED DOORS Places Best Hope for Ethical Treatment of Farm Animals in the Hands of Average Americans

October 14th Premiere, Phoenix, AZ

MESA, Ariz., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Unlike many documentaries on animal treatment, BEYOND CLOSED DOORS (BCD) is not horrifying to watch.

Instead, Sandgrain Films has taken a comprehensive look at the correlation between science, ethics, and the politics of farm animal treatment. Two years in the making, BCD is a powerful, informative, and thought-provoking film that relies on contrast and comparison of agricultural practices around the world, to make a case for the ethical and humane treatment of farm animals. Some of the best and brightest minds on the questions surrounding this issue are featured in the film including Temple Grandin, Ph.D.; Bernard Rollin, Ph.D.; Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), President of Farm Sanctuary; John Webster, Ph.D., Emeritus professor of Animal Husbandry, Bristol England; Author Jeffrey Masson; Vandana Shiva, Ph.D., founder of Navdanya movement for the defense of biodiversity and farmers rights; Marc Bekoff, Ph.D.; Emily Levine, DVM MRCVS, Veterinary Behaviorist; Holly Cheever, DVM; Bill Niman, 30 year rancher/hog farmer; Attorney/Author Steven Wise; Reverend Andrew Linzey, Director of Animal Ethics at Oxford University; Dr. Mike Appleby; Ann Daniels of Chipotle Mexican Grill; Nicholas D'Agostino III, D'Agostinos Supermarkets; and Mike Hogan, Professor of International Business and Economics.

BEYOND CLOSED DOORS explores the evolving social ethic for animals, current laws regarding animal treatment, the important differences between welfare science and production science, the clout of consumers and the powerful political forces shaping the landscape in a way that is not intellectually uncomfortable to sort through.

The fundamental message is that all of us, not simply those who derive economic benefit from farm animals, have the right to determine how they are treated. In the words of Dr. John Webster "We cannot ... harangue the farmers as cruel profiteers ... the standards must be set by all ..." That sounds simple and reasonable enough not be controversial, but there are many forces at work, some originating from influential organizations that will shock the viewer. These organizations claim to promote animal welfare, but the evidence paints a different picture. The film takes the viewer to states where legislation would criminalize photography of an array of businesses, and to the home of Elsie Herring who tells a harrowing story of harassment when she and her 99 year old mother attempted to take on a factory hog operation in North Carolina that was affecting their quality of life.

Using Arizona's current debate over proposition 204 (which places restrictions on how calves raised for veal and pregnant pigs may be restrained under most circumstances) as an example of the dividing forces at work, the documentary paints a vivid picture of the conflict between the PR machines that feed the fears of all involved.

Even though the subject is grave, the one hour documentary leaves viewers with a renewed sense of hope and the feeling that much positive change can and will be accomplished for our society by citizens concerned about the future. The film ends with a reminder that animal welfare is not a partisan issue but truly a moral and ethical challenge, which deserves our attention as a nation.

Source: Sandgrain Films

CONTACT: Hugh Dorigo of Sandgrain Films, +1-480-620-5322,
info@sandgrainfilms.com

Web site: http://www.sandgrainfilms.com/

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