Circulating around the Internet are emails linking you to emails explaining why they believe that you should boycott the new film Water for Elephants.
The Email claims to show a Video released by "Animal Defenders International" the shows Tai, the elephant in the new film Water for Elephants, being beaten and electric-shocked during training.
I must say that I can not approve of any mistreatment of animals and a few of the actions of the trainers I viewed seem disturbing. It is relevant to remember the video is a "Snippet" of 6 years old video filmed in 2005 by Animal Defenders International at the Have Trunk Will Travel facility in Southern California. I assume the group was there for far longer than the 3 minutes of film the spliced together. I also assume they only used those clips that supported their position. There is no question that there are business this mistreat animals, those business should be closed down, but we need to look for acts of cruelty, not just animals not being used. Keep inmind imiages can be confusing. A crop striking my thigh with enough force to cause me great pain. The same level of force strikingly a full grown Elephant might not even get his attention.
The Movie was very well crafted, and the acting was wonderful. I saw the "Clip" of the training done by the group that owns the elephant; and sure a studio should think twice about using that company; but there is NO indication that any of the actors or director had any knowledge of the training techniques. If the animal was mistreated then Boycott "Have Truck will Travel" but not the film. The film sends a POSITIVE message about the treatment of animals.
Film makers have a thousand things on their plate at once. It's not just the Elephant that has to "Hit his mark", it could be up to a hundred actors, Sound crew, Focus-Pullers, lighting, costumes, all have to come together, and do so before you "Loose the light."
Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson had a great online chemistry, and Christoph Waltz never fails to keep you glued to the screen. I can understand why people care about animals being treated in a humane way; I share their concerns: but don't focus you anger at a cast and crew that never engaged in any improper treatment of animals.
The Email claims to show a Video released by "Animal Defenders International" the shows Tai, the elephant in the new film Water for Elephants, being beaten and electric-shocked during training.
I must say that I can not approve of any mistreatment of animals and a few of the actions of the trainers I viewed seem disturbing. It is relevant to remember the video is a "Snippet" of 6 years old video filmed in 2005 by Animal Defenders International at the Have Trunk Will Travel facility in Southern California. I assume the group was there for far longer than the 3 minutes of film the spliced together. I also assume they only used those clips that supported their position. There is no question that there are business this mistreat animals, those business should be closed down, but we need to look for acts of cruelty, not just animals not being used. Keep inmind imiages can be confusing. A crop striking my thigh with enough force to cause me great pain. The same level of force strikingly a full grown Elephant might not even get his attention.
The Movie was very well crafted, and the acting was wonderful. I saw the "Clip" of the training done by the group that owns the elephant; and sure a studio should think twice about using that company; but there is NO indication that any of the actors or director had any knowledge of the training techniques. If the animal was mistreated then Boycott "Have Truck will Travel" but not the film. The film sends a POSITIVE message about the treatment of animals.
Film makers have a thousand things on their plate at once. It's not just the Elephant that has to "Hit his mark", it could be up to a hundred actors, Sound crew, Focus-Pullers, lighting, costumes, all have to come together, and do so before you "Loose the light."
Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson had a great online chemistry, and Christoph Waltz never fails to keep you glued to the screen. I can understand why people care about animals being treated in a humane way; I share their concerns: but don't focus you anger at a cast and crew that never engaged in any improper treatment of animals.
Posts
