The Road to Yulin And Beyond

The Road to Yulin And Beyond, released in 2017, is a heartbreaking yet inspiring documentary brought to you by John Sessa and Lisa Vanderpump. They primarily appear in their roles as executive producers under their production company, Vanderpump Dog Foundation. This thought-provoking film takes its viewers on a journey to challenge and confront a part of the world where ancient practices have collided violently with our contemporary sense of animal welfare.

The film sets out to delve deep into a matter that has often remained under the radar. Cue Yulin, a city in China known for its annual festival. However, the city's fame lies not in the traditional joyous festivities that the term "festival" brings to mind. Instead, it holds a name synonymous with the brutal slaughtering of dogs for meat.

The name, 'The Road to Yulin And Beyond', is itself a significant indicator of the journey its audience is about to embark on. By starting its narrative with Lisa Vanderpump's Pomeranian, designed to represent the inherent human tendency of doting over pets, it is a clear indication of the stark contrast between Western culture and the practices that are about to be unveiled.

Apart from being known for her role in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills", Lisa Vanderpump is a restaurateur and a devoted animal rights activist. Alongside her husband Ken Todd, she forms the heart of the film and the driving force behind this monumental attempt to question and combat the incredibly controversial Yulin Dog Meat Festival. The storytelling mode is far from fictional drama. Instead, it's based on raw documentary style, featuring unfiltered, on-ground reporting that gives a real sense of the grave and grim situation the filmmakers are addressing.

On their journey, they head to Yulin to witness the event firsthand and express their disgust and opposition towards this inhumane practice. The film's creators brilliantly use juxtaposition as a tool to lay bare the difference between how dogs are treated as family members in most societies, and how they are dealt with in certain parts of the world as mere livestock, or even worse.

Throughout the film, they engage with various animal rights activists, both from China and around the globe, and showcase their enormous efforts in trying to relieve, as much as possible, the suffering of these innocent animals. It brings to light the courage and determination of these activists who often put their personal safety at risk to save the dogs.

The documentary also focuses on the work of the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, a critical player in raising awareness and working tirelessly on the ground for the rescue of as many dogs as possible. Scenes of rescues, rehabilitation and the overwhelming joy of dogs finding new, loving homes bring a warm and inspiring counterpoint to the shocking harshness of Yulin.

As the camera faithfully follows Vanderpump and her husband through the harrowing markets of Yulin, the audience is offered an unflinching view of the horrors encountered. The raw footage and interviews showcase an open, honest telling without persistent sensationalism, letting the grim realities speak for themselves.

Despite the dark shadows cast by Yulin's festival, the film manages to offer a glimmer of hope that change is possible with collective effort. The documentary doesn't shy away from showing the protesting voices within China and the people working relentlessly for change. It acts as a platform to bring this issue to a global audience, highlighting that the fight is not against China or its people, but against inhumane practices taking place.

The Road to Yulin And Beyond has been crafted as much more than just a documentary. It’s an illuminating call to action that transcends cultural lines and politics. It manages to voice out the pain and suffering of thousands of dogs in Yulin, and takes the audience on an emotional roller-coaster journey from despair to hope, emphasizing that it’s never too late to stand up for what’s right.

To viewers who empathize with animals and their well-being, prepare to be moved and prepared to perceive man's best friend in a different light. This film calls for muting the viewer's humane heart during a few tormented scenes but places a spotlight on the essential truth - animals deserve kindness, love, and proper treatment in every part of the world.