Film Review: ‘The Ghosts in Our Machine’ is Passionate Yet Muddled

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – It’s difficult to comment upon a documentary like “The Ghosts in Our Machine,” as it advocates an important issue regarding our very nature – the relationship we have with our food and the animals that provide that food. However, the structure of the film and the centerpiece photographer profile obscures the point of view.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

That photographer is Jo-Anne McArthur, whose life’s work is capturing the images of animals – used for food and fur – in the often harsh environments of their developmental captivity. This is difficult stuff, especially if you have a relationship with an animal or just love them overall. It may change your attitude toward meat eating in any form, or it may at least provide some perspective on his ongoing “elephant in the room” – that of the inherent torture of food and fur animals before they are inevitably slaughtered. Director Liz Marshall has rendered an almost meditative film, shrouded in dreamy imagery and soft commentary by animal experts and Ms. McArthur, but not all that convincing as a position on the obviously controversial topic.

Jo-Anne McArthur has been on a journey all her life, to professionally photograph animals in harsh captivity, crammed in factory farms and otherwise harmed by their imprisoned environments. Her images are hard to digest, as they show the fear and pain in the eyes of our fellow animal travelers, forced into a situation that is beyond their control.

Within the documentary, McArthur is shown sneaking into the captivity areas, passionately risking her own rights by bravely taking these pictures. She is also shown pitching these photos to representatives in the media, hoping to get more exposure for an important problem. Director Liz Marshall also includes voiceover expertise from animal advocates all over the world.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of ”The Ghosts in Our Machine”

Photographer Jo-Anne McArthur in ‘The Ghosts in Our Machine’ Photo credit: Ghosts Media

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of ”The Ghosts in Our Machine”