OK, carnivores and vegans out there. Open your eyes, hearts and minds and pose a few reflective thoughts about your own natural mealtime consumption (not that I am expecting you to answer that old-time question of what came first, chicken or egg). However, this is the sort of conumdrum that you have had to deal with over the years, probably from the first discouraging encouragement from your folks to ‘eat your greens, help you grow big and strong’.
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The more religious amongst you may have been faced with the two key questions posed by co-directors Kip Andersen and Kameron Waters‘ new factual documentary CHRISTSPIRACY as follows:Â
- ‘What would Jesus do?‘
- ‘Is there a spiritual way to kill an animal?‘
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This documentary asks, constructively and with consideration, what Jesus might or might not have done to eat and survive. It has taken nine years to conceive and complete against significant resistance, with a desire to pose thought-provoking debate without censorship or compromise.
Predictably, it has already thrown a spanner in the works amongst the more stringent believers and faithful who are raised on specific religious concepts and ideals without allowing them to think outside the box.Â
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It’s not the first time mindful philosophers with a keen need to question their curious mindsets have attempted to rise up against the moral majority. Films like THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST and MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN in decades past have attempted to provide background and context to give people something else to reflect on whilst aiming to provide cinematic involvement – and survived to endure on screen.
As time has gone on, the ideas posed have risen above their initial controversies from the more sensitive faithful to provide valid debate and ideals in courageous fashion.
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Now, inevitably, your experience of this documentary will be shaped by your own personal perceptions. The more religious amongst you will flinch at the broad ideas and perspective that the film-makers are trying to instil on the audience watching, but that should not deter you from at least trying to gain a more neutral realisation at the context of how your own beliefs and faith have been shaped through history via your own dietary consumption and needs.
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There is a thorough analysis of what the bigger ideas are at the heart of different religious perceptions. We see a lot of resistance from some on show here – the challenges the film-makers have faced over the last nine years are clear for all to see.
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On a personal level, as a Christian / Church of England disciple coupled with my own cinematic critique, I am more keen to embrace what the film is attempting to communicate.
Significantly, the more contentious images here are related to the systematic killing of animals (which are restrained in their visuals here and that could be more upsetting to viewers of this film).
There are indirect connections to discrimination and slavery which have been shaped by the historical process of animal slaughter (and a shocking revelation later on around one American slaughterhouse)
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After viewing this, I still strongly believe that religious concepts when used wisely can also provide very valid and intellectual dialogue to raise awareness of bigger, significant issues. How and where you out there may stand on the film’s intent, that is down to you. However, I think you too will find something to ponder throughout CHRISTSPIRACY.
Keep the faith and watch anyway.
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CHRISTSPIRACY is in cinemas globally from March 20th, 2024. For tickets and local screenings please go to:
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