A haunting new short film titled AKIN /a’kin/, produced by the Animal Justice Project in collaboration with SPECIESISM.WTF, has emerged as a powerful voice for farmed animals. Set against the eerie backdrop of a pig farm at night, the film delves deep into the reality faced by pigs, shining a spotlight on the inhumane conditions in which they are raised for pork, bacon, and sausages.
AKIN tells the emotional story of mother pigs confined in farrowing crates – small enclosures that limit their movement and separate them from their piglets. The film features tender, moving scenes of baby pigs, emphasizing their vulnerability and evoking empathy for their plight. With its emotional storytelling and stark visuals, AKIN aims to break the disconnect between consumers and the sentient beings that suffer behind closed doors.
In a remarkable fusion of investigative journalism and artistic creativity, AKIN pairs the hard-hitting work of the Animal Justice Project with the artistic vision of SPECIESISM.WTF. Their goal? To spark a conversation about the ethics of animal agriculture and awaken viewers to the deep, often ignored connection between humans and animals.
Pigs are widely recognized as one of the most intelligent animals, often compared to dogs in terms of their cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence. Studies have shown that pigs possess complex problem-solving skills, strong memories, and an impressive capacity for learning. They can recognize themselves in mirrors, understand symbolic language, and even exhibit empathy toward other animals.
In AKIN /a’kin/, this intelligence and sentience are at the forefront, revealing not only their suffering but also their cleverness and emotional depth. The film’s depiction of mother pigs and their babies highlights these qualities, emphasizing that these animals, often viewed merely as food, are capable of intricate social relationships and emotional connections, making the cruelty of their confinement all the more heartbreaking.
“We’ve titled the film AKIN /a’kin/ because we want to highlight just how deeply connected we are to our fellow animals. We’re all individuals, we all feel pain, we all suffer, and we all deserve to have our rights recognized,” explained the filmmakers. “The film is a powerful and emotional reminder of our shared sentience.”
The film’s emotional resonance is expected to leave an indelible mark on viewers, offering a raw and sobering look at the brutality inherent in modern pig farming. One week after the film’s release, on Wednesday, October 16, a live Q&A session will be held at 19:00 BST with the investigative team who gained access to the farm. Audience members are encouraged to leave their questions in the comments section, with the best ones being answered during the live event.
Stephanie Lane, founder of SPECIESISM.WTF, shared her thoughts on the project:
“For me, this film underscores the deep connections we share with other species. The way we experience pain, our yearning for liberation, the desire to comfort and protect our loved ones, the desperation for safety when placed in the most terrifying of circumstances. I hope that through the simplicity of the imagery there is a palpable sense of helplessness for and from our kin, but also of hope that in shining a light on speciesism and the brutal truth behind pig farming, it can propel us forward in abolishing this inhumane industry.”
After a powerful showing in Birmingham that left the audience stunned, AKIN is poised to reach a global audience, marking a critical step in the fight against animal agriculture. The film is not just a tool for activism but also an emotional experience that is expected to inspire viewers to rethink their relationship with the animals they consume.
AKIN /a’kin/ is a call to reexamine the fundamental ethical relationships between humans and non-human animals. In highlighting the shared capacity for suffering, the film brings forward an important question: If we, as humans, recognize our own pain and desire for freedom, how can we deny the same to animals who share these experiences?
The film emphasizes a truth that has been long overlooked: animals are not mere commodities, but individuals capable of feeling pain, fear, and love. They experience a life of suffering in ways alarmingly similar to our own emotions. In AKIN, this parallel between human and animal suffering is evident through the portrayal of mother pigs and their babies, a dynamic that evokes our own instincts to protect and care for loved ones.
At the heart of the film is the philosophical concept of sentience – the ability to perceive and feel. Sentience is often viewed as the dividing line between beings who deserve moral consideration and those who do not. Yet, the reality, as the film shows, is that sentient beings have been consistently marginalized, particularly within animal agriculture.
The farrowing crate is not just a physical prison for the pigs – it is a metaphor for a broader moral confinement, where empathy is stifled by the industrial logic of efficiency and profit. It’s a system that treats animals as disposable, reducing their complex experiences to mere units of production.
The film’s title, AKIN, carries profound meaning. To be “akin” is to be connected through a shared essence. This is where the urgency of animal rights becomes clear: if animals can suffer like we do, then moral consistency demands that we extend the same respect and rights to them. Philosopher Peter Singer famously argued that our ethical obligations should be based on an individual’s capacity to suffer, not on their species. AKIN echoes this idea, urging us to acknowledge that humans and animals are not as different as we might want to believe.
The film’s minimalist, artistic approach invites us to reflect on speciesism—the belief that one species is superior to another. The simplicity of the imagery offers a powerful critique of this hierarchy, showcasing how arbitrary distinctions have justified immense cruelty.
The task at hand is not just to bear witness, but to dismantle the systems that perpetuate suffering. This is why AKIN serves as more than just an exposé; it is a philosophical challenge, forcing us to question our place in the animal kingdom and our ethical responsibility towards other sentient beings.
In the face of undeniable suffering, where should we stand? Can we continue to justify the exploitation of creatures who are, in so many ways, akin to us?
The film doesn’t provide answers, but it pushes us toward action, asking us to reimagine a world where respect for all life is paramount. As AKIN so poignantly reminds us, animals are not ours to use – they are our kin.
Credits:
- Starring: Claire Palmer, Jamie Logan, Stephanie Lane, Susan Clarke
- Director: Stephanie Lane
- Director of Photography & Photographer: Calvin Tasker
- Edit & Grade: Tom Pickering
- Story: Sean Barrs