Controversial Documentary "The Art of Killing a Cat" To Show at Toronto Film Festival

By KEVIN CONNOR
Toronto Sun (http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2004/08/31/609950.html)

Tuesday August 31, 2004

NO AMOUNT of protests by animal activists will stop the Toronto Film Festival from featuring a documentary about the horrific skinning of Kensington the cat. "This was a programming decision based on merit. It is an intelligent, responsible handling of a case that is disturbing to many," Sean Farnel, a festival programmer, said yesterday.

Produced by Linda Feesey and directed by Zev Asher, Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat is to appear Sept. 14.

The documentary shows how Jesse Power, Anthony Wennekers and Matt Kaczorowski made their snuff film in 2001, slowly skinning alive a cat in a home near Kensington Market, a Toronto area neighborhood.

"It's a responsible film that shows flawed logic ... it creates a space to reflect on important issues such as cruelty to animals," Farnel said.

Suzanne Lahaie, of Toronto's Freedom for Animals, said her group will picket fest venues unless the movie is removed.

:eek: :crying: :crying: :crying:


I have three cats and if anything ever happened to them, I'd be mortified. People who abuse animals should be shot.

:(

Omg! I hope those three bastards are in prison. I would guess they probably aren't, huh? Probably got a slap on the wrist and sent on their way.:mad: More serial killers in the making.


" ...it creates a space to reflect on important issues such as cruelty to animals," Farnel said."
Bull****. This is for the voyeuristic titilation of people who like to see that kind of thing, nothing more. This article said more than enough to make someone reflect on cruelty to animals.

This is very disturbing news. The only people who will be able to sit thru that film will be those who hate cats, and those who won't even find a cat being skinned as awful to look at.

Sorry, first thing I thought of...

Originally posted by Sterling Holobyte

" ...it creates a space to reflect on important issues such as cruelty to animals," Farnel said."
Bull****. This is for the voyeuristic titilation of people who like to see that kind of thing, nothing more. This article said more than enough to make someone reflect on cruelty to animals.

The Toronto Film Festival claims it's Freedom of Expression.

Here's the Toronto Star Article (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1093903811379&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492) that expands the film festival's decision.

I HATE CATS... they are evil, lol. Well, I am allergic to cats so that is the main basis of my hate for them.

But... I don't know if I'd enjoy watching a cat skinned to death.

Originally posted by Jenya
The Toronto Film Festival claims it's Freedom of Expression.

Here's the Toronto Star Article (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1093903811379&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492) that expands the film festival's decision.
I still don't buy it.

"They really do regret the whole thing," Feesey said of the killers.
Of course they do, after they were caught.

There's really not much difference between those guys who made the snuff film and those who are showing it. They are basically the killer's production and marketing team.

I'm not an activist, but I have to say I agree with what that activist has said about it.

"The way the world's gone, as long as somebody can make a buck, nobody cares."
That too.

Originally posted by Dutabi84
Sorry, first thing I thought of... ha, y boyfriend actually said that yesterday.

My cat's sitting on my shoulder as I type this, and now I feel like I'm going to puke. That movie is wrong on every level.

HAAAAAA HAAAAAAAA thats st:eyes2:pid.

Originally posted by Sterling Holobyte
I still don't buy it.

"They really do regret the whole thing," Feesey said of the killers.
Of course they do, after they were caught.

There's really not much difference between those guys who made the snuff film and those who are showing it. They are basically the killer's production and marketing team.

I'm not an activist, but I have to say I agree with what that activist has said about it.

"The way the world's gone, as long as somebody can make a buck, nobody cares."
That too.

Again, Yes it is disturbing. I, myself have no interest in watching it. If the audience is disturbed by such a film (which would not suprise me) than a public outcry will probably embaress the filmmakers enough to destroy it.

But the fact of the matter is- The Film festival considers it art - so that's probably the main reason why they allow it to be shown.

The same thing happened for allowing child and preteen nudity on Quebec television 5 months ago. Many people complained that child and preteen nudity on public television is a form of child pornography. However, when the issue was broght to the Quebec Supreme court, the decision was made that child pornograpy can only be defined if children are being exposed or forced into a sexual act. The judge decided that child and preteen nudity CAN be used as an artistic expression, and now it is allowed on Quebec public TV

That issue was fought under the Freedom of Expression clause in the Canadian Constitution.

Who in their right mind would want to see that!:eek:

Originally posted by Sterling Holobyte
Omg! I hope those three bastards are in prison. I would guess they probably aren't, huh? Probably got a slap on the wrist and sent on their way.:mad: More serial killers in the making.


" ...it creates a space to reflect on important issues such as cruelty to animals," Farnel said."
Bull****. This is for the voyeuristic titilation of people who like to see that kind of thing, nothing more. This article said more than enough to make someone reflect on cruelty to animals.

Sterling:

Send your comments to the Voices: Public Opinion Section of the Toronto Star:

Voices: Cat-Killer Video (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1094119378307&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968705899037).

I'm sure the organizer of The Toronto Film Festival reads the public's opinons on his decision to show this film. Tell him what you think. :)

words cant express how awful i feel as the owner of 2 cats i find this like i said i cant even put my shock into words and to the person who asked who in ther right mind would want to watch that here is your answer nobody.

OH GOD, DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON CAT-KILLING, I HATE IT WITH A PASSION....... :mad: :livid:

All this cinematic mega-BS that gets promoted as "art."

What ever happened to films like "Citizen Kane" and all the rest??

Originally posted by Penny Lane
Who in their right mind would want to see that!:eek:

The same SICKOS that watched another human being beheaded online. I hope the image sticks with them, and HAUNTS their sleep for as long as they live. People who abuse animals are psychopaths who generally go on to kill humans. This is proven. May they ROT IN HELL!!

seriously, the thought of someone intentionally hurting a cat makes me want to cry. they're too innocent and cute to be treated badly.

Are you serious? What is this world coming to? :crying: I'm a nice person and all, but if anybody ever tried to hurt my cat, it'd take all I have to stop myself from killing the bastard. I love her so much.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/pyrojo/Pics/IM000462.jpg
What's not to love?

Originally posted by Jenya
That issue was fought under the Freedom of Expression clause in the Canadian Constitution. i was under the impression that the clause you mentioned did NOT apply to CRIMINAL ACTS?

would it be legal to show a film which showed a person actually get shot or stabbed? or raped?

this is just wrong - those individuals are criminals, they do not belong out on the streets, and they certainly do not deserve to profit from their crime like this.

they skinned a living thing alive - i can not comprehend how someone could defend that.

Originally posted by robyrob
i was under the impression that the clause you mentioned did NOT apply to CRIMINAL ACTS?


this is just wrong - those individuals are criminals, they do not belong out on the streets, and they certainly do not deserve to profit from their crime like this.

they skinned a living thing alive - i can not comprehend how someone could defend that.

Yes I agree with you 100%, Rob.

Originally posted by robyrob
would it be legal to show a film which showed a person actually get shot or stabbed? or raped?

Funny you mentioned that. If you remember the Paul Bernardo/Karla Homolka murder case in Ontario back in 1992, they recorded the rape and brutal murder of three teenagers. Kristen French, 15, Leslie Mahaffy, 14, and Karla's younger sister, Tammy, 14.

The judge in that case ordered the video tapes of all three victims Destroyed after Paul's and Karla's prison sentences. Fearing that someone could make a documentary on the killings, and make a profit on their deaths. :mad:

That is sickening! That stuff can't be considered art. I love cats. I'm not an animal rights activist or anything like that, but I can't imagine anyone being able to get away with anything this sick. My aunt is a person who loves animals. To hear about a film like this would turn her stomach. puke: puke: puke: