Do Donkeys Act?

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James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking

Willem Dafoe narrates life in a donkey sanctuary in Do Donkeys Act? At a “retirement home for donkeys,” the animals recover from cruelty and neglect at the hands of humans. As the donkeys get groomed, fed, and give birth, the voice of God narration poetically ponders what exactly the donkeys think of the humans who care for them.

With Do Donkeys Act?, filmmaking duo David Redmon and Ashley Sabin spent five years observing life at a donkey sanctuary. The donkeys that comes to this sanctuary have usually been treated cruelly by humans, whether having been stabbed by teenagers or neglected to the point that they have seriously overgrown hooves. Despite the donkey’s reputation of being a buffoon animal, they turn out to be quite complex creatures.

It is probably safe to say that if it wasn’t for the narration by Willem Dafoe, Do Donkeys Act? would be a pretty average observational documentary. However, Dafoe’s prose adds some major charm and humor to the life of donkeys, as he ponders what exactly is going on in their head. This alone makes Do Donkeys Act? a pretty entertaining watch, despite the somewhat menial actions on screen.

  FAIR  

Screenings

• Sunday, May 7, 8:30 PM – Scotiabank Theatre 7

Sean Patrick Kelly

Sean Patrick Kelly is a Toronto-based freelance film critic and blogger with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies from York University. Since founding his site in 2004, Sean has shared his passion for cinema through insightful reviews and commentary. His work has also been featured in prominent outlets, including Toronto Film Scene, HuffPost Canada, Screen Anarchy, ScreenRant, and Rue Morgue Magazine.