- [Narrator] Are you considering
ditching meat and dairy in favor of a plant-based diet? Whether you're considering
making the switch for health, environmental,
or animal welfare concerns, here are 10 documentaries to make you rethink your food choices. Number one: "Cowspiracy." "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" is a groundbreaking
environmental documentary directed by filmmakers Kip
Anderson and Keegan Kuhn. The 2014 film follows Anderson
as he explores the impact that industrial factory
farming has on the planet and investigates why some of the world's leading environmental organizations refuse to speak out against the
animal agriculture industry. (intriguing music) - You're going up against people that have massive legal
resources, and you have nothing. - [Man] We're in the middle
of the largest mass extinction of species in 65 million years. - Let's look at the
fundamental problem here. - No one wants to talk about it. - They're membership
organizations, a lot of them. They're looking to maximize the number of people making contributions. - I don't necessarily know what it is. - [Narrator] For those worried about the state of the planet, the film just may have you second guessing the meat on your plate. The film exposes a number
of environmental concerns linked to animal agriculture. These include global
warming, deforestation, and ocean dead zones. Number two: "The Game Changers." Released in 2019, this highly-anticipated James Cameron-produced vegan documentary explores the misconception
that meat is necessary for muscle building and strength. Directed by Oscar-winner Louie Psihoyos, the film follows former
UFC fighter James Wilkes as he recovers from an injury. He travels to four different
continents to meet with dozens of the world's strongest
plant-based athletes. These include six time Formula
One champion Lewis Hamilton, former governor of California,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, runner, Scott Jurek, and
weightlifter Kendrick Farris. - When I made the switch
to a plant-based diet, I qualified for my third Olympic team. I broke two American records. - [Arnold Schwarzenegger]
I ate a lot of meat. They show those commercials. - [Announcer] Steak.
That's what a man eats. - Selling that idea
that real man eat meat. - [Announcer] Serious man food! - But you've got to
understand that's marketing. That's not based on reality. - [Narrator] If you're a
fitness or gym enthusiast, this film just might make you reconsider where you get your protein from. Number three: "What the Health." Following the success of "Cowspiracy," filmmakers Anderson and Kuhn decided to explore the impact meat and dairy has on people's health too. The 2017 film highlights
the many health benefits of a plant-based diet and exposes the reluctance of
various health organizations, such as the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society in identifying the negative effects of consuming animal products. - There's a very strong
pharmaceutical industry and lobby that has a huge stake in preserving the status quo. - We've got a $35 billion
stat and drug industry. Do they every want to see that go away? - The government's bed with anyone that goes them the most money. - [Narrator] If you're
considering going vegan for your health, this documentary
is sure to inspire you to make the switch. Number four: "Forks over Knives." Before "What the Health?" began promoting veganism to the world, the 2011 documentary "Forks over Knives" revealed the benefits of a
whole food, plant-based diet. The film features a variety
of vegan nutrition experts, including Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the author of the China study. - This is the Atlas of
cancer mortality in China. - Virtually the Western
diet was nonexistent. They had no animal products.
They had no dairy, no meat. - We learned that we could turn on and turn off cancer growth, just by adjusting the level
of intake of that protein. - Obesity, diabetes, heart
disease, high blood pressure cost this country more than
$120 billion each year. - [Narrator] The film
advocates that a low-fat, whole food vegan diet may help avoid or reverse these chronic diseases. Number five: "Dominion." narrated by a host of
plant-based celebrities like Joaquin Phoenix, Kat Von D Sadie, Sadie Sink, and Sia, "Dominion" is not for the faint of heart. The 2018 film exposes animal cruelty prevalent in the animal
agriculture industry. The film uses hidden
cameras and aerial drones to go undercover on factory farms. - [Phoenix] Most people consider
themselves animal lovers. We recognize them not as objects, but as complex beings with
whom we share the planet, our lives ... our homes. So for those who feed,
clothe or entertain us, we choose to follow a
narrative that minimizes or altogether eliminates their suffering. - [Narrator] An eyeopener, this vegan film will have you questioning
why you consider some animals as pets and others as dinner. Number six: "Running for Good." Following "Cowspiracy"
and "What the Health," Keegan Kuhn's 2018 sports
documentary "Running for Good" follows world-record
marathon runner Fiona Oakes on her mission to set a new world record in endurance racing. Vegan actor James Cromwell, star of the 1995 film "Babe" is tje film's executive producer. Oakes, who's been vegan
since the age of six, competes in the toughest
foot race on earth, despite losing a kneecap from
an illness when she was 17. - [Oakes] I always told I
wouldn't walk again properly, let alone would I be able
to do sporting activities, especially things like running. Definitely know what it's
like to suffer myself, so I can relate with other beings, whether they be human or not. - [Narrator] Along with
showing that you don't need to eat meat in order to compete, the female-focused film
is a compelling true story about grit, determination,
and perseverance. Number seven: "73 Cows." The 2018 award-winning
short documentary film directed by Alex Lockwood, "73 Cows" tells the journey of Jay Wilde, the first farmer in the
UK to trade beef farming for organic vegan farming. The documentary follows Wilde and his wife Katja's transition
away from meat farming after wild shares, a special
connection with the animals he intended to raise for slaughter. (gentle string music) - [Jay] Working as a farmer, I just needed to keep doing it until I could find what else to do. - It became clear that we
really have to find a solution and to get out of cattle farming. - [Narrator] Just like Wilde, this film may have you trading in beef for plant=based meats instead. Number eight: "The Animal People." Produced by vegan Academy
Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, 2019's
"The Animal People" follows six animal rights advocates on their mission to expose one of the world's largest
animal testing labs. But the activists are labeled terrorists by big business and law enforcement. - U.S. attorneys called it
a campaign of terrorism. - We didn't break anything.
We didn't burn anything. We didn't beat anyone. We
didn't even so much as trespass. Our crime is doing exactly
what I'm doing right now: speaking. Every ounce of progress we've had towards a more just world has come because there were people who were willing to fight
and willing to sacrifice. - If we said set up this free speech zone, which makes you wonder,
then what's everything outside of the free speech zone? - [Man] There were more
wiretaps used against people associated with this movement than any other
counter-terrorism investigation in U.S. history. - [Narrator] In addition to inspiring you to go cruelty-free, this
film may just encourage you to ditch meat and dairy too. Number nine: "Invisible Vegan." This 90-minute independent documentary explores diet-related disparities prevalent in the African
American community. It also explores the health
and wellness benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. The 2019 film directed by
Jasmine and Kenny Leyva, chronicles actress and filmmaker Jasmine's personal experience of
eating a plant-based diet. It features a number of vegan celebrities, including former NBA player John Sally, and actor and comedian
Cedric the Entertainer, as well as vegan activists
like Genesis Butler. - The government encouraging
people to eat foods that it knew would make them sick because of the lobbying
efforts of the industry. And that's really reprehensible. (emotional vocal music) - I grew up in DC eating
the standard American diet. I initially identified
veganism as a white thing. It was because I didn't know my history. All I knew was a we turned
scraps into soul food, and I thought that was
our only culinary legacy. ♪ Barbecue tofu ♪ - You have systemic inequality, people who are being beaten
down by the detritus of life. - [Woman] Access to healthy
foods in this country has become a privilege instead of a right which it should be. - [Narrator] This film offers
a compelling perspective on plant-based eating, showing veganism isn't just about food, but that it's an intersectional issue. Number 10: "The Last Pig." This 2017 multiple
award-winning documentary follows the life of a pig farmer who contemplates the ethics of sending his pigs to slaughter. "The Last Pig" highlights
a variety of ethical topics like the sanctity of life,
compassion and equality. - [Man] I really love being
around these incredible animals. I feel an obligation to give
them the best life that I can. After 10 years of looking
into thousands of pig eyes, I've come to understand
that they're never vacant. There's always somebody
looking back at me. - [Narrator] The film,
which vegan musician Moby said was startling, honest
and deeply beautiful, may make you reevaluate your relationship with the animals you serve on your plate. Feeling inspired to make the switch to a plant-based diet yet? Let us know which one of these
films you'll be watching next in the comments below. As always, remember to subscribe and hit the notification bell. New videos every Tuesday and Friday.
