NOTES FROM THE FILMMAKERS
Synopsis
Live and Let Live is a feature documentary examining our relationship with animals, the history of veganism, and the ethical, environmental, and health reasons that move people to go vegan.
Food scandals, climate change, lifestyle diseases, and ethical concerns move more and more people to reconsider eating animals and animal products. From butcher to vegan chef, from factory farmer to farm sanctuary owner – Live and Let Live tells the stories of six individuals who decided to stop consuming animal products for different reasons and shows the impact the decision has had on their lives.
Jan and Karin transformed an intensive dairy farm into a retirement home for animals that offers refuge to cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and many other animals rescued from certain death. Ria and Hendrik are activists who liberate chickens from a factory farm to bring them to a sanctuary. Chef Aaron used to slaughter rabbits, serve veal and foie gras at his restaurant until one day he reconsidered his ways and opened an all-vegan Italian restaurant. Jack, a professional track cyclist training for the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio, discovered he’s even faster on a plant-based diet.
Philosophers such as Peter Singer, Tom Regan, and Gary Francione join scientists T. Colin Campbell and Jonathan Balcombe, and many others to shed light on the ethical, health, and environmental perspectives of veganism.
Through these stories, this documentary showcases the evolution of veganism from its origins in London in 1944 to one of the fastest-growing lifestyles worldwide, with more and more people realizing what’s on their plates matters to animals, the environment, and ultimately – themselves.
About the Filmmakers
Live and Let Live was produced by Blackrabbit Images and directed by Marc Pierschel. Find out more about the film at liveandletlive.com.
Critic Reviews
“Interweaving six stories of people’s paths to vegan eating, the poignant documentary delves into the ethical, environmental, and health reasons for leaving animals off of our plates. Well-paced and well-rounded, the film even addresses the world hunger and public health issues associated with raising animals for food and thoughtfully acknowledges that even farm workers are victims too. But the focus is on the animals: their sentience, individual personalities, abilities, and more. Biologist Jonathan Balcombe expertly describes why we should consider other animals’ capacity for pain and emotional needs. The point is driven home with a story from sanctuary founders Jan and Karin. We won’t give it away, but we suggest you keep a tissue nearby.” – Animal Outlook. Live and Let Live: Examining Our Relationshing with Animals. 18 November 2014
Official Trailer
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