Man Saves Duck, Duck Saves Man

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 23 — Farm Sanctuary, the
nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, applauds independent
filmmaker Nic Bettaur and actor Philip Baker Hall for standing up for ducks
by voicing their opposition to foie gras. Nic Bettaur’s film, DUCK,
starring Philip Baker Hall, premieres August 24 at Ritz 5 Movies in
Philadelphia.

“I have to believe that if people would allow themselves to be educated
as to what foie gras truly entails, which is difficult, I know, most would
stop consuming it cold.” Nic Bettaur said. “So too, if people were
sensitized as to just how cool and copacetic ducks are, the thought of
eating their force-fed, fatty livers should be frankly unthinkable.”
Philip Baker Hall puts it simply, “I have never eaten foie gras, and
the prospect does not hold any interest for me.”
DUCK exemplifies the message of compassion and interconnection that
have been at the center of Farm Sanctuary’s work for over twenty years. The
story of a retired, widowed professor befriended by a duck in need of a
pond; the movie reveals the complex and empathetic relationship between
humans and animals. DUCK is a story of hope and survival with the
resounding and irrefutable message that all life must be respected.
“I loved the message of the film,” said Farm Sanctuary President Gene
Baur, “It really shows the public what it’s like to have a relationship
with a so-called ‘food animal’ that’s not based on cruelty or
commodification. This is an especially important film right now, when
people worldwide are calling for foie gras to be banned.”
Ducks used in foie gras production are de-beaked, de-toed and forced to
live in confinement in filthy, poorly-maintained cages or pens, and have a
nutritionally incomplete gruel pumped down their throats through a metal
pipe several times a day. This force feeding is known to cause bruising,
lacerations, sores, ruptures, and even death. It also creates the grossly
oversized and diseased “fatty liver” for which foie gras is named. Gasping,
vomiting and struggling to move, the birds endure this process every day at
the end of their short lives.
To learn more about DUCK visit http://www.duckthemovie.com to learn
more about foie gras visit http://www.nofoiegras.org.
About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation’s leading farm animal protection
organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to
expose and stop cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through
research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public
awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts.
Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide
lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors
for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of
factory farming. Additional information can be found at
http://www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

SOURCE Farm Sanctuary