Human Meat Factory is a stop animation short created by Korean born director Anna Han. Aimed at engaging audiences by providing an animal’s perspective of the slaughter industry, the short will be screened as part of the 4th Seoul International Extreme-Short Image & Film Festival in Korea and the 6th Sydney Underground Film Festival.
At a touch over four minutes, the film broaches the subject of animal cruelty and abuse in the hands of slaughter houses, as well as addressing the impacts of meat consumption environmentally. Pain staking stop-motion methods engage grime coated barbie dolls and figurines to create a scenario where humans are caged, mutilated, slaughtered and processed to produce products such as burger patties.
The disjointed nature of stop motion combined with flickering scenes and a detached narrative add to the short’s disturbing feel. Descriptions of mistreatment go into every gruesome blood soaked detail, accompanied by visual cues.
Whilst models are used to depict violence, the result does not soften the impact, especially with real slaughter house footage provided by PETA, shown in the end credits. Statistics based on greenhouse gas emissions are included, with references to health benefits and prevention of diseases through vegetarianism.
Some would argue, in an increasingly desentised society, carnivores need to address the ethical issues that lie beyond the supermarket plastic packaging. This film certainly is an eye opener and whilst it may not turn the whole world to vegetarianism, it serves to at least increase awareness, to start questioning these practices (the live cattle export ban springs to mind) and to move toward eco-friendly choices.
Review Score: 7.5 out of 10
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