As every woman who’s entered the dating pool knows, there are a lot of jackasses in this city.
So, it’s a little surprising that a little film called Donkey Love raised such a stir.
Well, that’s a joke. There’s a big difference between the local singles scene and bestiality—I’m assuming— but the idea that a documentary could raise such fervour actually is surprising.
For those who have remained local media free in the last few days, Donkey Love is a flick that explores the Colombian tradition of having sex and falling in love with mules.
According to the film synopsis, “it starts off as a rite of passage ritual that fathers initiate with their sons and is carried on into their adulthood where men often end-up cheating on their wives with donkeys.”
It was poised to be screened at the Okanagan Film Festival, but reels rolled to a halt due to what could either be poor planning, or bad press, depending on who has your ear.
Whatever felled OFF may be up for interpretation, but Donkey Love’s bad press was very straightforward and frankly more alarming than the Colombian tradition.
Soundbites and letters painted a picture of Kelowna’s citizens frothing at the mouth with frustration over jackass smut.
“How can something like this be shown?” was a common refrain on radio talk shows, as callers threw in their two cents on what is and isn’t in good taste.
Others put together a petition to ban the film.
“Please do not permit the showing of Donkey Love in Kelowna, B.C. This film supports the exploitation of innocent animals who cannot fight back. A modern society should not tolerate the sexual abuse of any sentient living beings, including animals,” read the form.
I couldn’t agree more with the bit about innocent animals and sexual abuse.
Of course, as sentient beings in a relatively civilized world, we should also know that there’s a huge difference between learning about a different culture and condoning its far-out practices.
And that’s where the unsettling part of this outburst of outrage lies. The idea that a segment of the local population actually feel it would be better to shove their heads in the sand than it would be to learn about another culture and, if it’s required, act in a manner to change what they don’t agree with is embarrassing.
By all means, wage a war against anything you feel is exploitative, but don’t promote turning a blind eye to the ills, or differences, of what happens outside your backyard.
If nothing else that makes you the jackass, which just isn’t a joke.
