SYNOPSIS
Animal Liberation Wave activists uncover 15 cows adjacent to an illegal dog farm and resolve to rescue them. Dubbing them "Flower Cows," they garner support through public donations, livestock farmers, and local activists, managing to temporarily shelter six of the cows at a ranch in Inje County. In their quest for a permanent home, the activists work to bridge the generational divide with the elderly residents of Sinwol Village in Inje County. Together, they embark on an ambitious project to build a cow sanctuary. Their collaborative efforts culminate in the establishment of Korea's first cow sanctuary, repurposing a closed school in Sinwol.
REVIEW
"Can the cows, chickens, and pigs we encounter as beef, chicken, and pork in supermarkets also be considered worthy of animal protection?" This provocative question forms the heart of a documentary that follows Animal Liberation Wave activists as they embark on a mission to rescue fifteen cows and establish a sanctuary for them. What begins as a seemingly simple act of rescue quickly evolves into a complex endeavor—naming the cows, finding temporary shelter, selecting six for permanent care, searching for a suitable site in rural villages, and ultimately building a sanctuary where these animals can live in peace. The journey, as the film reveals, is far from straightforward. The documentary not only focuses on the activists' efforts to help the cows but also highlights the network of support that emerges around them. The film refers to these supporters as "good people," suggesting that it is precisely these individuals who, through their collective efforts, gradually shift perceptions and nudge the world toward a better place. It encourages viewers to break free from their preconceptions and take that crucial first step toward "meeting" others—both human and animal. At its core, the film challenges us to reconsider our view of cows as mere commodities or industrial animals, a perspective that has prevailed since agrarian times. Instead, it invites us to see them as beings with the inherent right to live out their natural lives. This shift in perspective, the film argues, could profoundly deepen our understanding of the world and our place within it. The cow sanctuary, created through the unlikely collaboration of village elders and vegan youth, stands as a testament to the power of cross-generational and cross-ideological cooperation. The film suggests that visiting this sanctuary could be a transformative first step for viewers, offering a tangible example of how compassion and action can intersect to create meaningful change.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Over the course of two years, we documented Animal Liberation Wave's pioneering cow sanctuary project, the first of its kind in Korea. Through the vivid images and compelling stories of animal rights activists, we capture their tireless efforts to rescue cows once destined for slaughter and their dedication to caring for injured animals. In doing so, this film seeks to challenge the normalization of killing in our society. Moreover, by highlighting the interactions between the elderly residents of Sinwol Village—a community facing the rick of village extinction—and the young activists establishing the cow sanctuary, we aim to illuminate the pressing issues of Korea's low birthrate and aging population. Ultimately, this film demonstrates a powerful synergy: how the act of saving animals can simultaneously contribute to sustaining local livelihoods. It's a narrative that intertwines animal welfare with rural revitalization, offering a unique perspective on sustainable community development.
