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Mystery Dominion Screening for 100 Horror Fans Reveals the Impact of Animal Cruelty

Over 100 film enthusiasts in Stockholm, Sweden, gathered for a secret horror film screening on Halloween night. The attendees, who had eagerly anticipated a night of spine-chilling entertainment, were in for a shock as the curtains drew back to reveal “Dominion,” a 2018 documentary that exposes the horrifying reality of animal cruelty in Australian farms and slaughterhouses.

Source: Farm Transparency Project/YouTube

The event generated a significant buzz, and all 130 available tickets were sold out, with attendees expecting a standard horror film experience. The secret screening took place at the Victoria Cinema in central Stockholm, and the organizers, a group of anonymous vegan activists, maintained complete anonymity in the lead-up to the event.

As the curtains rose and Dominion unfolded on the screen, the audience’s reactions varied widely. Some viewers chose to leave the cinema early, unable to bear the distressing scenes depicted in the documentary. Others, however, stayed behind to engage in conversations with the vegan activists responsible for the unconventional event.

Malin, one of the organizers, shared their perspective, saying, “We were pleased with how the evening turned out. The reactions ranged from anger to sadness, but this was to be expected. Many people told us they understood why we did this even if they didn’t like what they saw.” Some attendees were visibly moved by the film’s content and chose to discuss their feelings with the vegan activists in the cinema’s foyer.

“Dominion” was directed by vegan activist Chris Delforce, who collaborated with The Farm Transparency Project to shed light on the brutal methods used in farm animal slaughter, such as gassing pigs with carbon dioxide and the maceration of chicks. The film, although focusing on Australian practices, highlights that these are standard procedures on farms worldwide.

The documentary also enjoyed celebrity Support, with Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Sia, and Kat Von D contributing their voices to narrate parts of the film. “Dominion” was released following a successful crowdfunding campaign and backing from the Australian Animal rights organization Voiceless. It quickly gained recognition among vegan activists globally, with many urging others to watch it. On IMDb, the film is categorized under both “documentary” and “horror.”

The surprise screening concept has gained popularity in recent years, with companies like Secret Cinema in the UK and Cineworld’s monthly secret screenings offering cinema-goers a unique experience. The Dominion event garnered widespread attention through promotional efforts, including posters displayed throughout Stockholm and Support from Visit Stockholm, a culture and tourism website with a substantial online following.

The vegan organizers also received Support from Swedish plant-based milk brand Oatly and cruelty-free cosmetics company Lush. Attendees were treated to goodie bags filled with vegan treats, information on adopting a plant-based lifestyle, and discount vouchers for local vegan restaurants, courtesy of the event’s sponsors.

Watch Dominion here.