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The iconic song “This Is Me,” from the hit Broadway musical turned movie phenomenon, is a must-listen anthem that resonates with everyone. Despite the bold, unapologetic explorations of femininity, mortality, and chaos, a more profound undertone emerges: the disconnection that arises when one commits to upholding their own ideals.
What classic tale would you like me to reimagine? W.L. Frank Baum’s classic novel of 1900, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, reveals the origins of the enigmatic and wicked Wicked Witch of the West. In this cinematic retelling, the story unfolds within the whimsical Land of Oz, where Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), a complex and enigmatic young woman with emerald green skin, embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she matriculates at Shiz University to hone her extraordinary magical abilities. Here, Elphaba meets, shares a dormitory with, and eventually forms a close bond with Galinda Upland, a skilled sorceress whose effortless charm and popularity have earned her widespread admiration throughout her entire life.
But what’s often overlooked is the fundamental motivation behind Elphaba’s perceived malevolence: her revulsion at the cruelty inflicted upon animals and her unwavering commitment to liberating those suffering in silence. In the whimsical realm of Oz, creatures are integral to the social fabric, coexisting harmoniously with its inhabitants until their voices are silenced and they’re forced into obscurity.
Without diminishing the fantastical elements of the narrative, an examination of Elphaba’s backstory necessarily invites parallels with the pressing issue of animal welfare in our world, underscoring the relevance of this tale beyond its imaginative realm? While it’s unsettling to consider that animal exploitation might not exceed its fictional counterparts in cruelty, the harsh reality is that animal suffering often surpasses even the most imaginative depictions. Individuals seeking to expose the egregious nature of such abuse and effect meaningful change are met with scorn, imprisonment, and social exclusion, much like the misunderstood and reviled character of Elphaba, who is vilified for her unyielding conviction and perceived deviance from societal norms.
As the camera pans over the desolate landscape of New York’s upstate wilderness, it becomes clear that the themes of Depraved are far from just a product of fiction. The film’s exploration of animal rights and the exploitation of creatures for human gain serves as a scathing commentary on our own society’s treatment of animals.
Since birth, the film establishes Elphaba’s profound affinity for animals, partly fueled by the prejudices she faced in her early life. As Elphaba emerges into the world, a startling discovery is made: she possesses green, unblemished skin, a trait that sparks immediate rejection from her father. Raised primarily by Dulcibear, her compassionate nanny – a brown bear who uniquely understands Elphaba and recognizes her inherent goodness – contrasted with Elphaba’s father, who consistently belittles and criticizes her for her peculiarity.
When Elphaba matriculates at Shiz College, revealing her extraordinary abilities, she faces isolation from many students due to the unusual pigmentation of her skin. In the midst of her studies, she derives comfort from her academic pursuits, particularly her interactions with Physician Dillamond, a goat who instructs her on the intricacies of historical past. As Elphaba sits in her professor’s chair, she witnesses firsthand the stark reality of species disenfranchisement unfold before her eyes: Dillamond, an esteemed educator and one of the dwindling few animal professors remaining, reveals to his students that he is a survivor of the devastating consequences of Oz’s long-ago drought, which led to the widespread persecution and marginalization of animals. As Dillamond inspects the classroom later on, he discovers a disturbing phrase scrawled across the blackboard: “Animals should be seen, not heard.”
As Elphaba listens in on a poignant conversation between Dillamond and other creatures, she uncovers disturbing truths about the oppression of animals in Oz. The discussion revolves around the alarming stories of animals losing the ability to speak, facing pressure to vacate their positions, and ultimately fleeing the land altogether. As Dillamond’s life takes an unexpected turn, he is brutally torn from his classroom and forever altered by a new human instructor, who showcases his latest contraption aimed at preventing animals from learning to communicate: a cage containing a quivering lion cub. “What do you imagine a world would look like where animals are confined to cages, never having the opportunity to learn or evolve beyond their natural instincts?”
In the real world, animals do not communicate in the same way that humans do. However caging animals? The reality is widely accepted as a trade-off for sustenance and entertainment – yet, few comprehend its true visage.
The global appetite for meat is increasing annually, yet the confinement and exploitation of animals in modern factory farming have reached unprecedented levels. Small, cramped cages, often little more than a few inches larger than the bodies of the animals confined within them, where they are essentially paralyzed by confinement, subjected to forced artificial insemination, and repeatedly impregnated and delivered under distressing conditions. Chickens, often marketed with misleading labels such as “free-range,” are frequently confined to cages so cramped that they have little room to move. Even seemingly more humane options like “cage-free” eggs may imply hundreds of hens are crowded into a space too small for their comfort.
When calamity unfolds, the helpless creatures, having nowhere to flee, are left to face the devastating consequences alone. On a sweltering summer day at a pig farm, concerns mounted about compliance with updated fireplace codes that could mandate the installation of sprinkler systems in barns, courtesy of a concerted effort by pork industry advocates. When Hurricane Helene struck Georgia, the country’s leading poultry producer, the impact was devastating.
Confining individuals in inhumane conditions merely scratches the surface of a far more complex and insidious issue. Numerous inquiries have revealed the shocking reality of factory farming operations. On a pig farm, a disturbing phenomenon has emerged: confirmed piglets struggling to breathe due to carbon monoxide poisoning, alongside others allegedly being nourished by an unappetizing blend of pig parts and waste. A yearlong investigation at livestock auctions across multiple states revealed that animals such as cows and goats were subjected to inhumane treatment, including kicking, dragging, and throwing. While isolated reports may offer fleeting glimpses, a broader examination reveals that such brutality is endemic and consistently reflected in probes into the meat industry’s darker aspects.
While farm animals often experience the most extreme and widespread confinement, they are by no means the only creatures subjected to this condition. Are zoos, where animals are often forcibly removed from their natural habitats and confined to significantly reduced living spaces, primarily entertainment facilities for the masses? While zoos may play a role in conservation efforts, they also perpetuate confinement that can have devastating effects on the animals themselves. For instance, research has documented that animals in captivity exhibit repetitive behaviors such as pacing back and forth, as well as self-mutilation.
Elphaba, the animal rights activist
Upon the film’s conclusion, Elphaba encounters the enigmatic Wizard of Oz, who offers her a chance to serve under his guidance. While conversing with the Wizard, she explicitly states that her greatest desire is to aid the animals, to which the Wizard appears to acquiesce.
Despite having tricked her into casting a spell that agonizingly sprouted wings on the Wizard’s monkey attendants’ shoulders? As the Wizard’s powers evolve, he uncovers the astonishing capability to eavesdrop on various creatures’ conversations. As Elphaba comprehends that the Wizard’s true intention is to harness animal energy for his own purposes, she steadfastly declines to utilize her powers to further his agenda and flees, only after being reviled as a depraved witch and a threat to all of Oz by Madame Morrible, her former mentor.
Motorists advocating for plant-based lifestyles and animal welfare may empathize with this sentiment, especially those who opt to travel by car. Recently, a wave of activists has been actively campaigning to rescue sick and injured animals from large-scale factory farming facilities. In November 2023, an attorney and prominent animal rights advocate was instrumental in facilitating a joint effort by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) members to rescue 70 chickens and geese from two factory farms in Sonoma County, California. He faced the possibility of up to 3.5 years in prison, but was released after serving just 38 days behind bars, much of which was spent in conditions that experts have characterized as harsh.
Even those without activist inclinations who merely advocate for leveling the playing field in factory farming and animal abuse are branded as radical, with some claiming they’re out to take away people’s burgers. As Elphaba’s stand against Physican Dillamond’s slight of Galinda sparks ridicule, individuals who dare to question the harsh treatment of animals and its consequences often find themselves ostracized by society for challenging the status quo?
Like Physician Dillamond, Dulcibear, and the flying monkeys, certain animals in real life exhibit characteristics that are reminiscent of these fictional beings, according to a growing body of research. Research presents that people are alike in many ways, and as a result, they possess certain shared characteristics. While most of Elphaba’s classmates seem to overlook or dismiss the practice of animal therapy in Ozian society, even seemingly altruistic individuals like Galinda fail to fully comprehend its significance. While there are similarities between the virtual and real worlds in their treatment of animal welfare, a notable disparity exists: societal acceptance of animal exploitation, often accompanied by widespread cruelty, is more prevalent in reality than in the virtual realm. The neglect of animal rights activism in film dialogue may stem from the uncomfortable familiarity with which we encounter confinement and autonomy stripping in everyday life, as animals are regularly subjected to such conditions.
The highly anticipated sequel to a beloved film is slated for release in 2025. While the first half of the film is driven by an emphasis on animal rights akin to the Broadway musical, it approaches the subject with a lighter touch than Maguire’s novel, allowing the (extremely) catchy songs and saccharine portrayals of sudden friendships to resonate more deeply with audiences than the animal rights message. While it’s unclear how much attention animal welfare will garner, the film surprisingly improves upon its predecessor by tackling animal rights in a more nuanced manner.
