Available from 18 March, new feature-length documentary, Milked, is set to show just how detrimental the dairy industry is to both the environment and in regard to animal welfare. It is based on New Zealand dairy farm practice which is the country with the largest dairy export in the world.
To add to its already impressive appeal, Milked is backed by, and includes interviews with world famous Primatologist and Anthropologist, Dame Jane Goodall as well as Cowspiracy Co-Director, Keegan Kuhn. The project is also supported by Academy Award-winning Director, James Cameron, who commented that the film is a “powerful wake-up call that the world is getting Milked.”
Beginning life as a crowdfunding idea Milked has since excelled in its goal of raising NZD $100,000…even more amazingly, it achieved this in just 12 days. As a result, the makers of the film have increased their goal by an additional $20,000 to help spread the message further.
Shadowing activist Chris Huriwai as he travels the country to understand the depths of the dairy industry, the film shows direct conversations with farmers as well as experts in medicine, ecology, the economy and even politics.
“We originally planned to investigate the environmental and health impacts of all animal agriculture in Aotearoa (Māori name for New Zealand). But once we got further into researching, it was obvious that dairy was the story to tell,” said Milked Director and Producer Amy Taylor. “And with dairy giant Fonterra inviting Chris to meet with them and then backing out, we became even more curious about what was going on.”
The funds already raised are set to help with final edits, paying contractors, producers and legal counsel. It will also go some way towards marketing the documentary such as through the advertising billboards that were recently put up as a media stunt, congratulating the dairy industry on being New Zealand’s biggest polluter. There is also set to be an educational version of the film for schools and universities.
With the anticipated additional funding, future campaigns will be developed such as those that help farmers move away from the dairy industry itself; political lobby groups that will be able to work with governments to encourage the removal of dairy from schools, and the amendment of nutritional guidance that could include the more nutritional plant-based foods over current dairy options.
“We’re so grateful for the incredible support we’ve already received from around the world having only just launched our crowdfunding campaign,” said director Taylor. “It shows how many people are passionate about exposing the truth about the dairy industry, and looking at a better way forward.”
