The Art of Killing a Cat

[Thudpucker]

This is playing right now here in Austin. And just the thought of this movie makes me sick and very angry.

http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2004/filmsschedules/description.asp?pageID=filmlist&id=54


You'll find the word "casuistry" (pronounced kazoo-istry) in most dictionaries, just above "cat." It refers to a method of ethical analysis which takes into account the unique circumstances of particular cases. The term is often used disparagingly, in reference to specious justifications. Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat scratches its way beneath the surface of an infamous Toronto animal cruelty case, deftly exploring the opaque logic surrounding this macabre act.

Jesse Power, ex-vegetarian, was an art student when he conceived a new project. In May 2001, he enlisted two friends, Anthony Wennekers and Matthew Kaczorowski, to help him kill a cat. The intention was to make a video that protested the unthinking consumption of factory-slaughtered animals by killing, cooking and eating a cherished domestic pet - a feline posthumously named Kensington by animal-rights activists. Alerted by an outraged roommate, the police found the skinned and decapitated cat in the beer fridge. Kaczorowski fled and was apprehended in Vancouver two years later. All three eventually pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and mischief charges.

Fair warning: this is not an easy film. Incorporating interviews with the cat killers, as well as journalists, artists, animal activists and concerned citizens, Casuistry also contains disturbing imagery - though, mercifully, not the notorious cat video. Filmmaker Zev Asher eschews rote advocacy; rather, his documentary lurks curiously in murky terrain, playing like the punk B-side of an Errol Morris film. He places us in a unique space, one which vacillates between serious reflection, horror, transgression, banality, righteousness, humour and - mostly - paradox. This may be one of the most political films in this year's Festival.

- Sean Farnel

[Thudpucker]

No comments on this subject?

[WAKKAJAWAKKA]

Don't Really Know What To Say. That's Dissapointing.

Wayno.

[Smokinblues]

animal rights activists are loony? not news.

[MIKE D]

Jesse Power - The first male animal rights activist that will NEVER get laid at a PETA rally.

[Thudpucker]

Don't Really Know What To Say. That's Dissapointing.

Wayno.

It's a pretty good subject.

Are all animals the same, is killing an animal art, should some animals be protected from killing while others arn't...

[Thudpucker]

Jesse Power - The first male animal rights activist that will NEVER get laid at a PETA rally.

I seriously question if the guy is an animal rights activist. Hard to believe that he isn't just using that as a cover to make a controversial film.

[WAKKAJAWAKKA]

It's a pretty good subject.

Are all animals the same, is killing an animal art, should some animals be protected from killing while others arn't...

Oh. That Doesn't Really Concern Me So Much I Guess.

Wayno.

[TRILL, THE CARBON BASED LIFEFORM]

I understand the point the guy was trying to make, but his decision to mutilate a cat was very misguided. It's like he deliberately wanted to sabotage his film by making the focus his act of cruelty to the cat, not the societal issue.

[Jade]

This thread isn't full of useful tips!.. It's of no use to me at all!

*walks out of thread*

*slams door*

[Chinaski]

animal rights activists are loony? not news.



What does that even mean? Who are you calling "loony" the asshole who thought that torture and murder of a house pet were "art" or the guy who made the documentry about said douche bag?

[Smokinblues]

What does that even mean? Who are you calling "loony" the asshole who thought that torture and murder of a house pet were "art" or the guy who made the documentry about said douche bag?

the guy who thought he was making a point for animal rights by killing and eating a cat = loony.

and animal rights activists in general.

[Chinaski]

the guy who thought he was making a point for animal rights by killing and eating a cat = loony.

and animal rights activists in general.


Looney is nowhere near what this guy was/is. A guy who jumps out of a window wearing a towel he thinks is a cape so he can fly like superman is looney. Looney is cute and kind of harmless. This guy here is just a psychotic asshole. He should be sent to Guantanamo bay so our boys can show him a real good time.

[Boris the Blade]

It's a disgusting act, ultimately, to torture any living creature the way they did, but the film doesn't celebrate it, show it, or anything of the like. The film itself is no outrage, and I encourage you to see it, if you find yourself stern enough to deal with the sickening subject matter.

I think the point they were trying to make (the cat-killers, I mean) is that we only care or feel bad because we keep these animals around as pets, and don't think twice when we throw cattle, chicken or pork chops on the barbie. Either that, or they were sick.

[Smokinblues]

It's a disgusting act, ultimately, to torture any living creature the way they did, but the film doesn't celebrate it, show it, or anything of the like. The film itself is no outrage, and I encourage you to see it, if you find yourself stern enough to deal with the sickening subject matter.

I think the point they were trying to make (the cat-killers, I mean) is that we only care or feel bad because we keep these animals around as pets, and don't think twice when we throw cattle, chicken or pork chops on the barbie. Either that, or they were sick.

well, duh. If the roles were culturally reversed we'd probably eat cats instead of cows. (i wouldn't want to have to clean a cow's litter box though.)

[Boris the Blade]

well, duh. If the roles were culturally reversed we'd probably eat cats instead of cows. (i wouldn't want to have to clean a cow's litter box though.)
You say "duh" but most people just seem to think it was "let's throw a cat on the barbeque and laugh."

[Smokinblues]

maybe. but i'm saying duh to the overall point.

no shit we don't want to eat our pets? really?

[kaptain]

The Art of Killing a Cat

Joins the Tom/Katie relationship as yet another waste of a perfectly good pussy. :twisted:

[Thudpucker]

I understand the point the guy was trying to make, but his decision to mutilate a cat was very misguided. It's like he deliberately wanted to sabotage his film by making the focus his act of cruelty to the cat, not the societal issue.

I really don't think it was just misquided, I think it was a lie. I'm pretty sure he's just a wannabe filmmaker who found a project so controversial that it will be talked about.

The huy was here in town yesterday promoting his movie, and from the way he talked to the animal rights protestors at the theatre it doesn't seem like he cares about the animal at all. His focus was only on the rights to show his film and how what he did was 'art'.

(for the record, I agree that he should be able to show his film. But he still makes me sick.)

[Angel of Distraction]

Rip his eyes out and feed them to him, then make him sit in a bathroom with the faucet trickling, strapped to a toilet without food or water till he shits out his own eyes.

Then cook him.

[Chinaski]

It's a disgusting act, ultimately, to torture any living creature the way they did, but the film doesn't celebrate it, show it, or anything of the like. The film itself is no outrage, and I encourage you to see it, if you find yourself stern enough to deal with the sickening subject matter.

I think the point they were trying to make (the cat-killers, I mean) is that we only care or feel bad because we keep these animals around as pets, and don't think twice when we throw cattle, chicken or pork chops on the barbie. Either that, or they were sick.


You make some very excellent points, and I cannot disagree with you on what the intention of the scum bag cat killer(s) might have been. I have no problem with the documentary, as far as how it is being described. I dont think these shit heels should be lionized or celebrated for being some kind of avant garde artistes, they were sadists.

I would like to add that even tho we do kill cows and pigs, etc for food, we dont torture them the way that these fuck wads tortured this cat. Maybe I am being a little naive, but I was always under the impression that the slaughter of animals for processing was done as quickly and humanely as possible, I mean in the last 50 or 60 years, probably since the publication of "the Jungle". Im not a hypocrite in saying killing a cat is bad, while killing a cow is perfectly ok. If you need to eat a cat to live, well I can understand. Those bottom feeders tortured that cat over a period of a couple of days, I will even go out on a limb and say they came up with the art defense AFTER the shit went down, to try and cover their own asses.

I eat meat, and I understand how it gets to my plate. I dont want my meals to come from torture and inhumane killing practices, Im a Catholic and I carry enough guilt, thank you.