Vegan Documentary 'Dominion' Shut Down?By Vimeo For Showing Violence Towards Animals

Vegan documentary Dominion has been ‘marked for review’ by video platform Vimeo – because it shows violent imagery.

The feature-length film directed by Chris Delforce and co-produced by Earthlings Director Shaun Monson focuses on how animals are used and abused in Australia, and features footage from abattoirs and farms. It is narrated by vegan celebrities including Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Sia, Sadie Sink, and Kat Von D.

The platform contacted Aussie Farms – which produced Dominion and is the account hosting the film on Vimeo – and warned it to ‘remove all videos that show animals being tortured or killed and display shocking, disgusting or gruesome images’ in the next 72 hours’.

Vegan film

According to Vimeo, the account was marked for review because it violated a term of service. Under that term, no videos will be hosted that ‘depict or promote violent activity, extreme or real-life violence, self-harm, or cruelty toward animals’.

“As a rule, Vimeo moderators will remove videos that: show people being murdered, tortured, or physically or sexually abused; show self-mutilation; show animals being tortured or killed; display shocking, shocking, disgusting or gruesome images,” said Vimeo’s note to Aussie Farms.

The platform threatened to delete Aussie Farms account if offending videos were not removed within the 72-hour timeframe.

PBN Co-founder Robbie Lockie interviews Dominion Director Chris Delforce

Censorship?

“This reeks of censorship,” said Plant Based News Co-founder Robbie Lockie, who worked closely with the Dominion team to host the film’s UK premiere.

“Vimeo’s terms of service dictate that content should not show violence towards animals. But it does not distinguish between gratuitous violence designed to get clicks, and the kind of violence exposed by Dominion in a bid to inform and educate people.

“I understand that Vimeo needs to operate by service guidelines, but I’d like to see more nuance, so the platform can allow this highly important, factual film to be seen by as many viewers as possible.”