As a seasoned movie buff with a penchant for understanding the intricate layers of filmmaking and its impact on society, I find myself torn between empathy and disapproval in this instance. On one hand, I applaud the activists’ passion and determination to bring attention to an important cause – the plight of animals used in the fashion industry. Their bold actions at the screening of Pharrell Williams’ animated biopic “Piece by Piece” serve as a stark reminder of the cruelty that exists behind the glamour of high-end fashion.
On Sunday, the showing of Pharrell Williams’ animated biopic “Piece by Piece” at the BFI London Film Festival was interrupted by demonstrators advocating for animal rights.
The event occurred during the final night of the London Film Festival at the Royal Festival Hall. Just before the movie started, two demonstrators, who were advocates from the animal rights organization PETA, unveiled a sign that read, “Pharrell, End Your Backing of Animal Slaughter for Fashion.
At the concert venue, a protester vocally criticized Pharrell Williams, shouting, “Disgraceful, Pharrell! Animals are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment.” The demonstrators targeted Williams’ role as Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director, chanting repetitively: “End the torment, stop the agony, LVMH, you bear responsibility.” (LVMH is a French conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton.) For approximately 90 seconds, before they were eventually escorted out, the protesters also chanted “Animals yearn to live – just like us” and exclaimed “Animals are not materials, they’re not accessories…Fashion is cruelty.
Despite his struggle with laryngitis, Williams managed to whisper, “May God be with you. Rome wasn’t constructed quickly, and the alterations they desire won’t occur suddenly. They need careful consideration. We’re diligently working on these matters.
His voice failing, he added in a whisper: “They wanted to be heard so we heard them.”
As a passionate film aficionado, I can share that after some time, the security personnel politely requested the protesters to vacate the auditorium, which they eventually did, escorted out by the staff. According to a spokesperson from the British Film Institute, this was handled adeptly, and any earlier attempt to remove them might have worsened the situation. They shared this perspective with EbMaster.
In a statement addressed to EbMaster, Kate Werner from PETA U.K., as the senior campaigns manager, pointed out that while Pharrell’s life narrative is highlighted in this self-centered documentary, animals are cruelly confined in filthy farm conditions before their heads are brutally struck and their skin is torn off while they remain conscious. This gruesome act is carried out solely to create Louis Vuitton’s short-lived fashion accessories from parts of their bodies.
Werner stated, “PETA is urging Pharrell to leverage his influence positively, cease supporting harsh practices, and persuade Louis Vuitton to advance into the 21st century by rejecting exotic hides and furs.
Last month, I found myself caught up in quite an unexpected spectacle during the “Piece by Piece” premier at the Toronto International Film Festival. A passionate activist from PETA stormed the stage, adding a dash of drama to the event.
The demonstrator yelled, “Your Louis Vuitton items… it seems Pharrell’s collection is derived from cruelty towards animals!” He implored, “Pharrell, cease the torment of creatures! Ostriches are being suspended upside down, subjected to electric shocks while their throats are slit!
Following the removal of the protester, Williams addressed her concerns head-on. To the gathered crowd, he said, “Rome wasn’t built overnight,” emphasizing that “when you aim to transform things and situations, it often requires finding yourself in a position of power and influence, where you can shift people’s perspectives and foster advancement.
He went on to say, “That method isn’t always the best approach, and given my role, when I speak for such organizations without them knowing, it can harm them here. However, when that adjustment occurs, everyone in this room will recall that we were working on it. If she had simply asked me about it, I would have shared my insights. But instead, she chose to restate her point.
Prior to the pause at Royal Festival Hall, “Piece by Piece” director Morgan Neville shared with the crowd of 2,000 people the idea behind the documentary, a creative approach that gives it a Lego-style animation feel.
Neville stated that Pharrell mentioned Lego offered a unique perspective, allowing him to avoid scrutinizing himself for 90 minutes and not having to listen to himself either. It provided a space for comfort. For Neville, the Lego tool was instrumental in understanding Pharrell better, as he discovered through animation, we could glimpse what Pharrell visualizes in his imagination.
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2024-10-21 08:54