Curiously, the word casuistry (pronounced kazoo-istry) comes right before the word cat in most dictionaries. It refers to the process of ethical reasoning, although it is often used to connote specious rationalization. This documentary examines an infamous Toronto animal cruelty case in which art student Jess Power enlisted two friends to help him with his new art project: killing a domestic cat for the purpose of highlighting our mass consumption of anonymous factory-slaughtered animals. Soon cops and animal-rights protesters became involved and the issue grew into a dominant cause for activists on all sides. Instead of hashing it out with chants and placards in the streets, director Asher talks with the participants on all sides and presents their words in this film. Although Power’s cat evisceration is not shown in Casuistry, viewers should be warned that the film is not completely free of disturbing images. But it’s the ideas – or ethical reasoning – that interests Asher. The emotional outbursts and the sight-unseen negative reactions that dog his film may ironically provide him with ideal material for further explorations in casuistry.
This article appears in June 17 • 2005.
