April 27 to May 7, 2023
FILM FESTIVAL
Hot Docs
Hot Docs 2023
PROGRAMME
World Showcase
Former cattle ranchers transform their farm into an animal sanctuary in Rowdy Girl. Renee King-Sonnen is an animal lover who convinced her husband, Tommy, to turn vegan and convert their Texas Cattle Ranch into an animal sanctuary for farm animals. Now Renee runs a Rancher Advocacy Program to help farms transition from animal agriculture to plant-based.
Rowdy Girl Synopsis
Rowdy Girl is a documentary directed by Jason Goldman and executive produced by musician and animal rights activist Moby. Taking on a primary observational structure, the film shows life at the Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, created because the main subject Renee King-Sonnen couldn’t come to terms with the cruelty and violence normalized in animal agriculture. Instead, the former beef operation was converted into an animal sanctuary, which adopts farm animals without a home. Renee also helps other farms convert to plant-based, such as converting a chicken farm to produce mushrooms.
My Thoughts on Rowdy Girl
Rowdy Girl is a documentary that promotes the vegan lifestyle without getting too preachy about it. However, the film also mentions that such a transition is difficult since the system programs us. As someone who is still an omnivore, I admit that Rowdy Girl and the film’s very cute cast of animals, all with names, is enough to make at least me rethink my culinary choices.
