Peaceable Kingdom Screening April 11, 2005

Breaking generations of silence in the agricultural community, the powerful and enlightening Peaceable Kingdom exposes the disparity between the storybook image of farming that is taught to us as children and the stark reality of today?s industrialized farms. At the core of this documentary are the riveting disclosures of people who have come to a point in their lives where they must follow their conscience, even though it means giving up their livelihood, their community, and all they were raised to believe and do. It?s about a fourth-generation Montana cattle rancher who experiences an epiphany during a health crisis and resolves to devote his life to undoing the damage done by his agribusiness empire. It?s about a Michigan beef farmer whose childhood wounds are healed by the unexpected affection of a sanctuary cow. And it?s about a young couple who stumble upon a massive injustice hidden away by the factory farming industry, and find they cannot turn away, even though they can only help one animal at a time.

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL (CIDF) is a premier festival of documentary films in the U.S. The thought-provoking 10-day film event established in 2003 is dedicated to the celebration and cultivation of the documentary film. Our eclectic programming is designed to extend appreciation of the art of documentary film and its unique power to inspire and communicate a world of ideas and cultures. Each edition presents an array of extraordinary programs, showcasing the work of brilliant filmmakers and providing a venue for established and emerging artists of film as well as doc film buffs to see the most interesting international picks. Over $ 50,000 in unrestricted cash plus other prizes are awarded by the jury.