Animal Activism On and Off Screen (ed by Claire Parkinson & Lara Herring, SUP)

Animal activists have been at the forefront of using the media to get their message out—and in turn, the media has played a role in shaping the direction of activists’ campaigns. That’s the theme of this wide-ranging collection of essays edited by Claire Parkinson and Lara Herring. Taking in a variety of activist approaches—from fictional drama to documentaries to celebrity activism—it’s a useful overview of a media-savvy social movement. It’s also a handy guide to the way the media engages with and exploits shifts in community values. Approval of veganism may be on the rise, but the image of animal welfare activists as extremists remains potent in films and TV. There are some interesting insights into specific media in Animal Activism On and Off Screen: Bong Joon Ho’s Okja and the Wachowskis’ Cloud Atlas adaptation are both discussed in detail, while a later essay focuses on the media coverage of Joaquin Phoenix’s controversial speech at the 2020 Academy Awards. Perhaps the most interesting chapter examines different cultural approaches to celebrity activism. In a world where opposing consumerism opens spokespeople up to accusations of putting self-promotion ahead of concern, the French approach—to avoid using celebrities as spokespeople as much as possible—is a refreshing one. This is a great read for those interested in activism, how the media spreads messages, and how the cultural landscape around us is formed.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Anthony Morris is a freelance reviewer, novelist, and podcaster. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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