Shaun Monson’s film Earthlings was an exposé into the horrendous animal rights violations taking place in the food industry around the world. It had a point (vegans = good/non-vegans = evil). Whilst it was in many senses a propaganda film it at least highlighted an issue and made a point. Unity, his new film, is merely pretentious sloganeering and dogmatism, wrapped in cod philosophy and infant school lectures, about how non-vegans are evil and deserve to die, horribly. About how humans are mean and should find enlightenment and spurn material possessions; featuring with a voiceover read by millionaires.
A whole host of Hollywood’s finest queue up to read Monson’s script in the most interminably self-importantly and profound fashion imaginable. Most of the hundred or so do their best Batman impersonation to add gravitas to a message which is misappropriated, garbled and bastardised to suit the director’s purposes (even though some of them apparently don’t agree with what they’re saying). All set to the backdrop of shock footage of animals and humans being murdered, with a hilariously misguided emotive soundtrack.
It’s hard to say anything good whatsoever about Unity. If you enjoy being talked down to and patronised by a bunch of celebrities, then this film is for you. It’s like Monson watched the ‘Qatsi’ Trilogy and thought: “I can do that”. No you can’t. This is a history lesson written by someone for whom nuance is an unknown concept. Listen to Jennifer Aniston, Martin Sheen and Mark Strong lecture you about the Nazis in terms an 8 year old could understand. Whilst it might be an important message it sounds more like Scientology than enlightenment. Utter bullshit. Offensive and patronising bullshit at that.
Unity is out on August 12 and you can visit the cult of Nation Earth here.
2 comments
I totally disagree with many of the negative reviews on this film UNITY. I found it to be a totally beautiful masterpiece of truth that people just don’t want to hear/see for whatever particular reason. In order for our civilization to continue to thrive and evolve we need to stop seeing and supporting violence and death with our meals and in the world around us. We must stop seeing opposites and perceptions in one another. And because we all came from the same energy source we need to understand that whatever we do to others, we ultimately do to ourselves. A brilliant film and work of art. Thank you for creating this. Highly recommend everyone see this.
The more we explore the universe, the more we learn how precious and exceptional this our tiny blue planet is.
Human beings have acquired great knowledge over the years and some feel this is why they are superior to other forms of life, and sometimes, even to their own kind.
This same knowledge fills others with wonder, awe, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility and respect towards all life. It ultimately becomes a humbling experience to them.
I think “Unity” splits humankind into these two categories. And now it is obvious who will hate this movie and who will love it.