Why Certain Heartbreaking Movies Remain Unwatched: The Cruel Reality of Animal Suffering

When it comes to the world of cinema, there are certain films that have the power to deeply affect us emotionally. One such category is the heartbreaking movies that often portray animal suffering, a topic I have often veered away from due to its painful reality.

The Case of Bambi: The Unwatched Heartache

I remember the day when I realized I hadn’t watched Bambi. At 35, I finally sat down to watch it, only to experience a wave of emotions I hadn’t anticipated. I had always known logically that Bambi’s mother would be killed by a hunter, but the anticipation of it happening early in the movie was enough to make me shy away from the experience. When the moment arrived, my prediction was correct, and as a result, I was crying and had a terrible headache from the start. Since then, I haven’t watched it again, and I plan never to do so.

Why Do Humans Perpetuate Animal Suffering?

This brings us to a larger question: why do humans have to hunt and kill animals in both movies and real life? And why do they sometimes subject exotic animals to inhumane conditions for purely selfish reasons? Just recently, I came across a post on Quora about monks using tiger cubs to satisfy their sexual desires. This practice, in conjunction with using bears to get their bile, is not only cruel but also disgusting. We need to question why such activities persist and what drives people to cause such suffering.

Lessons from Childhood Movies

Reflecting back, I remember watching the movie The Ring of Brightwater with my mother as a child. Near the end of the film, the otter, an adorable creature, was tragically killed in a ditch where some men were working. I was so engrossed in the movie that I continued waiting for the otter to return, oblivious to the reality. When my mother had to break the news to me that the otter was dead, it was my first experience with death in a cinema. I couldn’t help but wonder why the otter had to die. Was it a true story, and if so, couldn’t they have used a different approach rather than killing the real animal?

Compassion and Accountability

By watching these movies and documentaries, I am often left questioning the actions of those who cause animal suffering. It’s time for these individuals to be held accountable and to experience the same suffering they inflict on animals. The idea of putting them in tiny cages, with a knife inserted daily, is a stark reminder of the cruelty they subject animals to. Let’s demand compassion and accountability from those who fail to prioritize the well-being of animals.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the cruel reality of animal suffering in movies and real life is a harsh truth that we must confront. By avoiding certain heart-wrenching films, we are also contributing to a culture where such suffering is normalized. It is time to break this cycle and demand more from ourselves and others. Let’s advocate for compassion, ethics, and the better treatment of animals in all aspects of our lives.