The 2023 Slamdance Film Festival will open on January 20 in Park City, Utah, with the world premiere of “Punk Rock Vegan Movie,” a new documentary written and directed by Moby. The movie, which marks Moby’s directing debut, is an ardent and distinctively styled examination of the continuous relationship between the punk music and animal rights movements. Along with Ian Mackaye, HR, Dave Navarro, Ray Cappo, Andrew Hurley, Tony Kanal, Tim McIlrath, Water Schreifels, Dave Dictor, Derrick Green, Steve Ignorant, Theo Kogan, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, Amy Lee, and Captain Sensible, it also features interviews with some of the most prominent figures in punk and rock history.
The history of punk rock’s transformation into such a surprise and productive breeding ground for vegan advocacy is told by Moby. It also serves as a call to action, boldly reminding people that each of us has a responsibility to speak up against injustice in a world that is profoundly broken.
After the Slamdance premiere, Moby will distribute the movie for free in the vein of punk rock.
“’Punk Rock Vegan Movie’ was created to shine a light on the surprising and inspiring history of punk rock and animal rights, but also to remind people of the importance and desperate urgency of adopting the uncompromising ethics and actions of the original punk rock activists,” said Moby. “After it makes its world premiere at Slamdance, it’s yours. It’s my goal to give the movie away, as I can’t in good conscience try to profit from what is essentially a labor of love and activism.”
A panel discussion with opening and closing night filmmakers Moby, and OFF! members Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides) and Keith Morris (Black Flag & Circle Jerks), covering the history and intersectionality between the LA punk scene, filmmaking, and activism will launch January 23 on the Slamdance Channel.
