Story

This documentary gives viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Gunda the sow and her newborn piglets as they go about their lives on the farm, until the time comes for the piglets to be taken away. Also featured are a bunch of chickens, including a one-legged hen, and a herd of cows.

The documentary is made from the animals’ perspectives and has no human interactions or voices. We’re simply invited to watch and be with the animals, and to see the world through their eyes.

Themes

Baby piglets being separated from their mother; the way humans use and define animals.

Violence

There’s no violence in this movie. But the possibility of the slaughterhouse lingers in the background, even though it isn’t shown or discussed.

Sexual references

Gunda has no sexual references.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Gunda shows no use of substances.

Nudity and sexual activity

Gunda has no nudity and sexual activity.

Product placement

Gunda has no product placement.

Coarse language

Gunda has no coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Gunda is a wordless documentary that invites audiences to connect with the animals it features and to see them, and all animals, as something more than meat. The cinematography is exquisite, and the lighting and camera angles help capture the individuality and charm of the animals.

Although Gunda is suitable for most audiences, it will be most enjoyed by adults and older children who can see its deeper messages and who have the patience to sit through a largely silent movie. Younger children are likely to enjoy the movie too, but they might appreciate it in shorter bursts.

The main messages from Gunda are that animals are much more than just food. Humans should slow down, so they can see and reflect on the value of the creatures we share our planet with.

Values in Gunda that you could reinforce with your children include the:

• value of all living things
• joy of simple things like rain
• importance of being quiet and still, listening, observing and learning.

Gunda could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like the:

• source of the meat we eat and the consequence so using too much meat
• idea that animals don’t have feelings
• consequences of taking babies away from their mothers
• relationship between humans and animals.