Tickets to the Chinese premiere of the animal rights documentary “Dominion” have sold out well in advance of the film’s screening.
“Dominion” will be released in China for the first time on July 22 at the Camera Stylo filmhouse in Beijing. Interest in the film is likely due to China’s growing vegan movement. Last February, an article by Business World highlighted the growing number of health-conscious individuals in the nation of more than one billion people historically known for a meat and fish-heavy diet. Additionally, recent research revealed that 39 percent of Chinese consumers are cutting back on meat.
“Exposing the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture through drones, hidden and handheld cameras, the feature-length film explores the morality and validity of our dominion over the animal kingdom,” reads the documentary’s description on the official website.
“Most people consider themselves animal lovers. We recognize them not as objects but as complex being with whom we share the planet, our lives, our homes. We take pleasure from their pleasure. We anguish over their pain,” states the trailer. The vegan film has been described as the Australian version of the seminal 2005 documentary “Earthlings” in that it provides an honest account of the various ways that animals are used and abused for human consumption.
Directed by Chris Delforce, “Dominion” serves as a sequel to the 2014 movie “Lucent,” which revealed the grim realities of the Australian pig farming industry. “Earthlings” director Shaun Monson served as co-producer. Acadamy Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix is one of several vegan celebrities that narrate the film; Phoenix was also the narrator in “Earthlings.” Celebrity narrators joining Phoenix include Rooney Mara, Sia, Kat Von D, and Sadie Sink.
This is not the first time that tickets for a “Dominion” premiere have sold out. The documentary’s world premiere in Melbourne sold out, as well as the New York City premiere, which sold out shortly after the event was posted to Facebook.
Earlier this week, it was announced that “Dominion” will be available for free online beginning July 14. Subtitles are available in English, German, and Romanian. Because the creators want the film to be accessible to as many people as possible, they encourage others to host their own screening of the documentary, free of charge.
China’s screening premiere was coordinated by the Chinese volunteer-run charity, Towards a Compassionate Nation. The organization says its mission is to promote public awareness of animal welfare, promote pet adoption, and to raise awareness of the nation’s growing vegan movement.
Image Credit: Dominion
