The Ghosts in Our Machine - film
The Ghosts in Our Machine is a thought-provoking and emotional documentary film that explores the ethical and moral implications of animal exploitation in modern society. The film is directed by Liz Marshall, a Canadian filmmaker, and was released in 2013.
The documentary follows the journey of photographer and animal activist Jo-Anne McArthur as she documents the lives of animals in captivity and their mistreatment at the hands of humans. The film highlights the plight of animals that are used for food, clothing, entertainment, and experimentation, and the toll that it takes on their physical and emotional well-being.
Throughout the film, McArthur travels to various locations, including a factory farm, a fur farm, an animal sanctuary, and a laboratory where animals are used for experiments. The footage that she captures is both heartbreaking and eye-opening, and it sheds light on the suffering that animals endure at the hands of humans.
One of the most powerful aspects of the film is its ability to convey the complex emotional lives of animals. Through McArthur's photography, viewers are able to see the fear, pain, and suffering that animals experience, as well as their capacity for joy, love, and companionship. The film also explores the impact that animal exploitation has on human beings, both in terms of our health and our moral values.
The Ghosts in Our Machine is not an easy film to watch. It confronts viewers with uncomfortable truths about the ways in which we use and abuse animals, and it challenges us to consider our own complicity in this system.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3rd Canadian Screen Awards | Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary[1][2] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:Nom |
| Best Direction in a Documentary Program[1][2] | Liz Marshall | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Photography in a Documentary Program or Factual Series[1][2] | Nicholas de Pencier, Liz Marshall, Iris Ng and John Price | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Sound in a Documentary, Factual or Lifestyle Program or Series[1][2] | Garrett Kerr, Jason Milligan and Daniel Pellerin | Template:Nom | ||
| 2014 | 2014 Webby Awards | Best Use of Interactive Video[3] | theghostsinourmachine.com/interactive/ | Template:Yes |
| 2013 | The 2013 Lush Prize | Public Awareness Prize[4] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:Sho |
| Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival | Audience Favourite[5] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:No2 | |
| Yorkton Film Festival Golden Sheaf Awards | Documentary Nature/Environment[6] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:Won | |
| Best Director Non-Fiction[6] | Liz Marshall | Template:Nom | ||
| Toronto Vegetarian Association | Lisa Grill Compassion for Animals Award[7] | Jo-Anne McArthur and Liz Marshall | Template:Won | |
| DMZ International Documentary Film Festival | International Competition; Special Jury Prize[2] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:Won | |
| Planet in Focus | Best Canadian Feature[8] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:Won | |
| Green Screen Award[8] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:No2 | ||
| International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam | Audience Favourite Award[2] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:No2 | |
| Aware Guide | Top Transformational Film[2] | The Ghosts in Our Machine | Template:Won |