Joaquin Phoenix Shares An Emotional Journey Of Animal Rescue In New Documentary ‘INDIGO’

23 April 2021

The Los Angeles Animal Save has released a new documentary called INDIGO featuring Academy Award winner and animal rights activist Joaquin Phoenix. The film is based on Phoenix’s rescue of a dairy cow and her calf from a slaughterhouse in 2020.

The rescue was conducted in collaboration with L.A. Animal Save one day after the actor’s Academy Award win. Phoenix named the rescued animals after his sister and late nephew - ‘Liberty’ and ‘Indigo’ respectively.

The short documentary is made by Shaun Monson, the creator of the 2005 film Earthlings, which was narrated by Phoenix.

INDIGO features the Joker star discussing the story of the rescue. He shares his first experience of visiting a slaughterhouse and witnessing animal suffering up close. Phoenix expresses his relief at rescuing the cow and her baby from a “factory of death”, and the film shows his reunion with Liberty and Indigo in the sanctuary where they now reside. 

The actor appeals to the audience to acknowledge the reality of exploitation in the animal agriculture industry, stating:

A still from INDIGO

A vegan since he was three-years-old, Phoenix has been extremely vocal about animal rights in the past. He even dedicated his winning speech at the 2020 Oscars to spread awareness about animal suffering in the dairy industry, and was instrumental in ensuring that the entire menu of the 2020 Golden Globes was plant-based.

Previously, the actor has been the executive producer of 2019 documentary The Animal People.

You can watch INDIGO here.