Gunda - film
Gunda is a 2020 documentary film directed by Victor Kossakovsky. The film follows the daily life of a pig named Gunda, along with her piglets, a group of chickens, and a herd of cows. The film is unique in its approach, as it features no dialogue or narration, and instead relies solely on the visuals and sounds of the animals to tell their story.
The film begins with a close-up shot of Gunda, as she lies in a barn with her piglets. From there, the camera follows her as she navigates her world, interacting with her piglets and the other animals on the farm. We see her nurse her piglets, forage for food, and communicate with the other animals in her own unique way. The film also features shots of the other animals, including a group of chickens scratching around in the dirt and a herd of cows grazing in a field.
One of the most striking things about Gunda is the way it captures the personalities and emotions of the animals. Without any dialogue or narration, the viewer is forced to pay close attention to the animals' body language and vocalizations in order to understand what they're feeling. We see Gunda's maternal instinct kick in as she nurses her piglets, and we see the fear and confusion in the eyes of the chickens as they're gathered up for slaughter. It's a powerful reminder that animals are sentient beings with their own thoughts and emotions, and that their lives are just as valuable as our own.
The film also serves as a commentary on the modern food industry, and the way animals are often treated as mere commodities rather than living creatures. The contrast between the life of Gunda and her piglets on the farm and the stark reality of industrial farming is stark. The viewer is left to draw their own conclusions about the ethical implications of consuming animal products, but the film's message is clear: animals deserve to be treated with respect and compassion, and the current system is failing them.