Unity, a documentary by Shaun Monson, attempts to tackle arguably the most complex facets of the human experience in five dense chapters: “Cosmic”, “Mind”, “Body”, “Heart”, and “Soul”.
Needless to say, the 120 minute film only manages to graze these daunting topics. Unity is yet another film that utilizes the massive amounts of brutal footage available of animals in crates and humans killing humans to shock an audience into listening to a dogmatic spiel of how to solve the world’s problems. Its script seems to preach a message of love and, of course, unity but it insidiously leaves a residue of self-loathing.
Oddly reminiscent of the guilt inflicting monologues delivered by Catholic priests, this film manages to tell you you’re wrong unless you live a particular way without quite saying so in so many words. It preaches to the choir, arguably the only people who could genuinely appreciate it, in a self-righteous tone that may make you want to get up and leave unless you’re already subscribed. It successfully manages to display virtually all of humanity’s faults with extremely graphic and disturbing clips without really justifying the brutality it inflicts upon its viewers. The shock may very well be the only lasting impact on the audience as the watery message delivered seems to wane in light of it.
Photo courtesy of unitythemovement.com
Unity is a genuine attempt to try to bring some kind of awareness to its audience of humanity’s evil ways and how respect of all life is the only path of redemption; however, its condescending and doctrinaire method of delivering this message along with its overuse of shock footage prevent this benevolent and respectable opinion from effectively reaching its audience.
Unity will be released worldwide in select theaters August 12. You can find a local theater here and catch the trailer here.
