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Burt Young with Rusty the Dog from
"Rocky Balboa" |
By John Balzar
It was a night of glitter, gowns, tuxedos and emotions. But leave it to a mop-headed 10-year-old to put to words the reason 800 people joined together in Beverly Hills to celebrate their beliefs and their passion this past weekend.
"We need to be animals' voices," said Dominic Scott Kay.
It was an observation that grade-schooler Kay could make with authority. As some may know, he was the voice of Wilbur the pig in the 2006 big-screen remake of the classic story, "Charlotte's Web." And as happened, this ageless tale of friendship and loyalty won the 21st annual Genesis Award on Saturday night for Family Feature Film.
The yearly Genesis Awards, sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States, honors works from the big screen, the small screen and from print media—news and entertainment that convey the message of respect and compassion for animals.
This year's gala had an additional, and deeply moving, mission: to recognize the founder of the event, former Broadway headliner and 40-year animal welfare activist Gretchen Wyler with an award established in her name. Battling cancer, Wyler was escorted onstage by a man on each arm. Then, bathed in the stage lights she knows so well, with actor James Cromwell at her side, she smiled and gazed out at the spellbound audience.
"It was the seed I started," she said, her voice still strong. "And look what grew."
The audience responded. In the bowl-like ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, people looked at each other, some with tears in their eyes. In the faces of these actors, producers, writers, activists, and believers, one could take measure of a movement that has grown strong and evermore determined in the two-plus decades of Genesis. For the very first time, the contenders for recognition were so abundant that each of the 18 categories began with a field of nominees.
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| James Cromwell introduces Gretchen Wyler |
Wyler was clearly moved by the enduring recognition an award named in her honor will bring, and delivered an honor of her own when she presented the first Wyler Award to a notable personality who furthered the cause of a humane world. The inaugural winner was Sir Paul McCartney, a long-time activist and supporter of The HSUS. McCartney accepted his award via videotape, telling the audience of the moment of epiphany that shaped his beliefs thereafter:
He was lunching at a farm in Scotland with his late wife, Linda. They watched the bucolic scene as lambs frolicked outside. Then, he recalled, "we realized that we were eating leg of lamb." That was more than 30 years ago, and McCartney has been a champion of vegetarianism since. Among other causes, he has traveled to the ice floes of Eastern Canada to draw attention to the deplorable slaughter of baby seals for the fur market – an awful event that is expected to begin this week or next.
Read more about Canada's seal hunt and the HSUS campaign to end it.
HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle addressed the audience at Genesis and described the paradox of the animal protection movement today.
"There is more exploitation and harm of animals than ever before," he said. On the other hand, he continued, "there are more people determined to fight cruelty than ever before."
Pacelle described the black-tie gathering as one of the marquee events for the animal protection movement – a chance to recognize the best of humanity as well as the more enlightened of the media.
Our relationship to animals, Pacelle reminded the gathering, "is a test of our character. We hold power over animals … we recognize that animals have the same spark of life that we do."
Unlike many Hollywood events where celebrities present an aloof or reserved persona, the Genesis Awards has more the feel of a family gathering.
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HSUS President & CEO Wayne Pacelle with
Hollywood Office Director Beverly Kaskey |
"I've been part of this long before it was a big issue, long before it was a big cause," said actress and watercolorist Loretta Swit, aka Maj. Houlihan of the television series MASH. "I cannot remember when I wasn't an activist."
"Let's not be afraid to be bold," remarked actress Alexandra Paul, whose movie contracts specify that she will not wear fur or any products tested on animals.
Beverly Kaskey, director of the Hollywood Office of The HSUS, assumed responsibility for organizing this year's Genesis after 10 years under the leadership of Gretchen Wyler. The philosophy behind the awards, she explained, is that "the media has the power to change minds and influence behavior, ultimately leading to a more humane society."
By that standard, 2006 was a banner year. "You can't open a newspaper, turn on TV, or go to a movie," said Kaskey, "without seeing something to do with animals. And for that we're very grateful."
The evening had moments of edginess, and of lightness.
Presenting the Sid Caesar Comedy Award, comedy show host Bill Maher joked that he could hardly wait to house train his new pet dog so that he could brag about him. But the comic turned serious when he spoke of the pet food industry. He noted that humans had fallen ill because of tainted food. In light of the recent and widespread recall of pet food, "You can imagine what they put in pet food."
The winner of the comedy award was "The Simpsons," for an episode that mocked the bravado of bullfighting. Executive Producer Al Jean accepted the award and joked, "No animals were harmed in the filming of this cartoon."
For that matter, the animals used in the filming of "Charlotte's Web" also lived to see a happy ending. Executive Producer Bernie Williams said all of the two-score pigs who starred in the film had been adopted by families who promised to protect them.
The fate of most of tens of millions of barnyard swine in real-life America is not so pleasant, however. Williams put his feelings bluntly: "Factory farms are grossly inhumane and should be phased out as soon as possible."
Equally direct was television journalist Brad Woodard, of KHOU-TV in Houston. He won a Genesis for his series on U.S. horse slaughter for European meat markets. He noted that horses were woven into the fabric of American culture. "They deserve more," he said.
Expressing the mood of the evening, activist and actress Persia White presented the Genesis for the best Dramatic Series on television.
"There are few events that make me proud to be a human being," she said.
The winner in the category was the show "Bones" for an episode that demonstrated the cruel means of slaughtering farm animals.
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Presenter Amy Smart with Awardee
Allison Argo |
If many of the award winners were recognized for exposing inhumanity, the audience also was treated to reasons for hope. A vegan dinner featuring soy ginger tempeh in an herb soy ginger sauce delighted many in the audience, and a sustained ovation greeted chef Wolfgang Puck, who last week joined with The HSUS in announcing that he would no longer serve foie gras and would serve products from animals who were raised according to higher humane standards.
The presentation of awards was interspersed throughout the evening by video clips that highlighted animal welfare victories from the year 2006. Among these was the enactment of an HSUS-backed law requiring that pets be considered by local officials in devising disaster response plans.
In one of the most celebrated and closely-watched categories, the film "Happy Feet" won the Genesis for best animated family feature film. The story of an outcast penguin who saves himself and his community, the movie bested two other popular features – "Over the Hedge," a story about suburban encroachment on the wild habitat, and "Open Season," a wry tale that offered a fresh perspective on hunting.
The winner among Feature Films was "Fast Food Nation," an uncompromising look at the realities of the slaughterhouse. The disturbing film had been nominated along with "Our Daily Bread," another frank look at the industrialization of the food web. The final nominee in the category was "Mountain Patrol – Kekexili," a National Geographic film about efforts to protect the Tibetan antelope.
In presenting the award for Feature Film, actor Esai Morales left the audience to mull a quotation that is attributed to different people – but still words that summed up the mood of this evening of activism and celebration:
"Kindness is the only rent we pay for our room here on Earth."
The 21st Genesis Awards recipients:
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Bill Maher presents the Sid Caesar
Comedy Award |
Outstanding Feature Film: FAST FOOD NATION - Fox Searchlight Pictures
For an uncompromising look at the link between the abuse and exploitation of people and animals in a slaughterhouse.
Outstanding Family Feature Film: CHARLOTTE'S WEB - Paramount Pictures/Walden Media
For a charming adaptation of a timeless tale about friendship, loyalty and respect for all living creatures
Outstanding Family Feature - Animated: HAPPY FEET - Warner Bros. Pictures
For a delightful tale about an outcast penguin who saves himself from the misery of zoo confinement and his community from the threat of human over-fishing
Sid Caesar Comedy Award: THE SIMPSONS Million Dollar Abie - Fox
For attempting to take the "bull" out of the so-called bravery of bullfighting.
Outstanding Dramatic Series: BONES The Woman in Limbo - Fox
For a stark and dramatic demonstration of the methods used in slaughtering farm animals.
Outstanding Children's Programming: AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Appa's Lost Days - Nickelodeon
For a mythical tale about animals held captive for human entertainment that resonates with the way animals are used in circuses today.
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Presenter Pauley Perrette with Awardee
Brad Woodard |
Outstanding TV Talk Show: LARRY KING LIVE - CNN
For an in-depth examination of the brutal cruelty of the Canadian seal hunt.
Outstanding TV Newsmagazine: CBS NEWS 60 MINUTES The Orphanage, Shooting Tigers, Global Warning!
For spotlighting the plight of polar bears threatened by global warming, the fragility of baby African elephants orphaned by ivory poachers, and tigers teetering on the brink of extinction in India.
Outstanding Reality Programming: EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION The DeAeth Family - ABC
For an exceptional makeover, transforming both a family's home and their adjoining animal shelter, and providing a compassionate look at the needs of animals.
Outstanding National News: CBS EVENING NEWS The Brown Bears of McNeil River, Alaska
For a two-part report exposing the threat to Alaskan brown bears, whose habituation to humans made plans to open their sanctuary to hunters particularly shameful.
Outstanding Cable Documentary: DEALING DOGS - HBO
For a no-holds-barred exposé of the abject cruelty of a licensed Class B dog dealer who was subsequently prosecuted in one of the most notorious cases of animal cruelty in recent years.
Outstanding PBS Documentary: CHIMPANZEES: AN UNNATURAL HISTORY - Nature
For a poignant study of how the space programs of the 60s, medical research and life in entertainment have adversely impacted the lives of chimpanzees, man's closest living relative.
Outstanding Local News Feature: WFOR-CBS4 NEWS (Miami) Multiple Segments
For a prodigious output of intrepid reports spanning a diverse range of urgent topics from the Canadian seal hunt to turkey farm cruelty to foie gras, and pets in condos.
Outstanding Local News Series: KHOU-TV (Houston) From Stable to Table: America's Dirty Little Secret
For exploring the controversial horse slaughter issue, including the distressing effects on people living close to a Texas slaughterhouse.
Outstanding Local Newsmagazine: LIFE & TIMES Animal Cops - KCET-TV
For an in-depth examination of the different forms of everyday abuse that have necessitated the formation of L.A.P.D's new animal cruelty task force.
Brigitte Bardot International - TV/Film: 50/50 Hunters Becomes Hunted - SABC2 (South Africa)
For chronicling the work of the Sea Shepherd team in its brave attempts to stop Japanese whalers from killing the ocean's gentle giants in the waters of Antarctica.
Brigitte Bardot International - Print: SOUTH ASIA (Pakistan) multiple segments
For condemning mass livestock shipments to slaughterhouses in the Middle East and the inhumane methods used to kill the animals
Outstanding Written Word: ROLLING STONE Boss Hog
For an in-depth and alarming look at the inhumane conditions endured by pigs in factory farms and the disturbing evidence of the human health and environmental fall-out from these industrial operations
The Wyler Award: SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY
For his enduring commitment to being a compassionate and powerful voice of the animals.
