Top Documentaries Exposing the Dairy Industry
By Juliane Priesemeister
Documentaries might be the best way to inspire yourself, friends, or family to go dairy-free.
Whether for animal rights, health benefits, or the planet, there’s a documentary for every aspect of a dairy-free life. We pulled out the top ten anti-dairy documentaries from our list of vegan documentaries. They look at the dairy industry around the globe, the social and emotional capabilities of cows, as well as ecological issues, such as the loss of biodiversity and the extinction of species.
In no particular order:
MILKED (2021)
MILKED
MILKED is a topical feature documentary that exposes the whitewash of New Zealand’s multi-billion-dollar dairy industry.
Young activist Chris Huriwai travels around the country searching for the truth about how this source of national pride has become the nation’s biggest threat. It’s rapidly gone from a land with no cows to being the biggest exporter of dairy in the world, but the industry seems to be failing in every way possible.
Featuring interviews with high-profile contributors such as Dr. Jane Goodall, environmentalist and former actress Suzy Amis Cameron, and Cowspiracy co-director, Keegan Kuhn, MILKED reveals the behind-the-scenes reality of the kiwi dairy farming, fairy-tale. It uncovers alarming information about the impacts of the industry on the environment and health, leading up to the discovery that we’re on the edge of the biggest global disruption of food and agriculture in history.
An impactful global story told with a local eye, the film also points to what New Zealand and other countries can do to change their fate.
Focus: Dairy Industry
Location: New Zealand
Where to watch: https://milked.film/watch
Cowspiracy (2014)
Cowspiracy
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret is a groundbreaking, feature-length, environmental documentary following intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it.
Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry, and is a primary driver of rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion, ocean “dead zones,” and virtually every other environmental ill. Yet it goes on, almost entirely unchallenged.
As Andersen approaches leaders in the environmental movement, he increasingly uncovers what appears to be an intentional refusal to discuss the issue of animal agriculture, while industry whistleblowers and watchdogs warn him of the risks to his freedom and even his life if he dares to persist.
As eye-opening as Blackfish and as inspiring as An Inconvenient Truth, this shocking yet humorous documentary reveals the absolutely devastating environmental impact large-scale factory farming has on our planet, and offers a path to global sustainability for a growing population.
Focus: Dairy Industry, Environment
Location: USA, global
The Milk System (2017)
The Milk System (Das Milchsystem)
There's one thing milk stands for - health. It's seen as natural and nutrient-rich. But is it really that healthy?
We set out to take a critical look at the milk system. Along the way, we'll meet farmers, dairy owners, politicians, lobbyists, NGOs, and scientists.
The film uncovers surprising truths behind the system. Who profits and at whose cost? Does the system have a future and are there alternatives?
Focus: Dairy, Dairy Industry
Location: Germany, global
Where to watch: Netflix
Got the facts on Milk? (2011)
Got the facts on Milk?
‘Got the facts on Milk?’ AKA the Milk Documentary, is a feature documentary that dared to question the much-publicized health benefits of milk and dairy products.
A girl’s quest to find out what is really wrong with milk, only to be booted off the USDA grounds for asking the wrong questions.
Addressing myth, truth and all in-between, the film becomes a humorous yet shocking exposition that provokes serious thought about this everyday staple.
Focus: Dairy
Location: USA
Where to watch: Vimeo
Butenland (2020)
Butenland
Jan Gerdes is a third-generation dairy farmer, but he struggles with his conscience when the milk yield decreases and he has to sell his cows to the slaugtherhouse. After suffering a burn-out, he decides to give up his farm. On the day his last cows are due to be transported to the slaughterhouse, he finds that there's no room for twelve of the cows. Instead of ordering another transport, he and his partner Karin Mück decide to keep them. This is the birth of Hof Butenland – the first cow retirement home in Germany.
In the early 80s, Karin was one of the first activists to rescue dogs, cats and other animals from vivisection laboratories – actions that ultimately led to her arrest and imprisonment.
Paul was supposed to be slaughtered at the age of two months because of calf flu, Uschi because she refused to be milked; Lillja almost did not survive the birth of her first calf. On Butenland they live together with many former farmed animals in an environment where they are equal to humans. It's a peaceful coexistence that seems almost utopian.
This intimate portrait follows two compassionate people who have dedicated their lives to the animals. It captures moments of happiness and sadness, of life and death, and questions the status of farmed animals in today's society.
Focus: Sanctuaries, Animals
Location: Germany
73 Cows (2019)
73 Cows
73 Cows tells the story of Jay Wilde, the first farmer in the UK to trade beef farming for sustainable organic vegan farming, giving up his entire herd of cattle in the process. 73 Cows won the BAFTA in 2019 for British Short Film. It premiered at Raindance Film Festival and was also screened at European Parliament before policymakers in a bid to inspire changes in agricultural law. 73 Cows has been covered by news outlets across the world including The Times and The Guardian, as well as being featured on national TV news. For a no-budget film, we are really proud of what we achieved with this film.
Focus: Animals, Dairy Industry
Location: UK
Where to watch: Vimeo
Cow (2022)
Alma (2010)
Alma
Alma is an insight into the Amazon forest and the industries destroying it.
The film is a poetical ride on the beauty of the Brazilian rainforest and the suffering that accompanies its destruction. Alma is a reflection on the value of life. It reveals what lies behind products such as meat, leather, dairy foods and exotic hardwood.
The film invites us to question our consumer habits, to open our eyes and hearts, and allow room for empathy.
Focus: Environment
Location: Brazil, USA
Where to watch: YouTube
Milk. Make your own mind up (2021)
Milk: Make Your Own Mind Up
A documentary produced, directed, written, and narrated by animal advocate, Joey Carbstrong
‘Is the reality of dairy consistent with what the industry tries to convey?’ – This is the question that this documentary wants you to reflect on.
Focus: Dairy Industry, Dairy
Location: UK
Where to watch: Vimeo
Dominion (2014)
Dominion
'Dominion' is the feature-length documentary sequel to 2014's Lucent.
While Lucent focused mostly on the Australian pig farming industry, Dominion takes a much broader view as a comprehensive account of the numerous ways animals are used and abused in Australia. By exploring six primary facets of our interaction with animals - Companion Animals, Wildlife, Scientific Research, Entertainment, Clothing and Food - the film questions the morality and validity of our dominion over the animal kingdom.
The film makes use of emerging technologies, such as aerial drones, to capture new perspectives and examine the wider context of animal exploitation upon our landscape and within our society.
Focus: Animal Agriculture
Location: Australia
Where to watch: YouTube
Julie is a talented, social media and marketing specialist with The Truth Organization. Having worked almost a decade for an international corporation as an information designer, generating compelling visual stories, she was left hungry for substance and impact.
When she started her yoga journey a few years ago the “do no harm” philosophy pushed her to align work with her personal ethics and values. Today she uses her omnibus skill set, including marketing communications, economics, and graphic design, to reveal the truth about the egg and dairy industries to consumers.