DOCUTAH @ The Electric presents "The Champions"

On August 26^th, The Dixie State University DOCUTAH@TheELECTRIC series screens The Champions, produced and directed by award winning filmmaker, Darcy Dennett and featuring the work of Best Friends Animal Society. The film “is an inspirational story about the pit bulls rescued from the brutal fighting ring of former Atlanta Falcon’s star quarterback Michael Vick. It is a story of second-chances, redemption and hope. This uplifting documentary takes us on a journey about much more than just dogs {but also} about prejudice, being misunderstood, the power of resilience, and the significance of the relationship we as humans have with animals.” 
 
Dennett says, “There was a growing sense that the dogs were the victims, but in the beginning I was fearful while filming with them. I consider myself to be relatively brave, but it seemed like good common sense to use extreme caution while filming in a closed ‘run’ with a pit bull rescued from a notorious dog-fighting case.
 
“No one gave these tragic animals a chance to lead normal lives in a loving environment.  No one except the Best Friends Animal Society,” said Tuckett. “The tag line for the documentary, which is directed by Darcy Dennett, More forgiving of our species than we could ever be of theirs, truly encapsulates the almost miraculous rehabilitation of these dogs and the love that brought them full circle back into the company of humans.”
 
Best Friends Animal Society agreed to take 22 dogs that no one else could, the dogs many considered the most challenging.  Best Friends had taken on difficult dogs before in their almost 30 year history, but this would be their biggest challenge yet, and they were putting their reputation—and more importantly, that of the entire breed—on the line. The documentary The Champions, follows five of the dogs, from the time they are first rescued through their adoption.  It is not just about the dogs themselves, but how they change and inspire the people who come into their lives. 
 
"Prior to the Michael Vick case, the traditional, historic treatment of dogs from fight busts was simply to regard them as damaged goods and to kill them," said Francis Battista, co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society. "All along, we've been advocating for them to be given a chance. Our experience has shown that there's no need to be afraid of the dogs or blame them, just because of the situation they came from."
 
Tickets for The Champions are available for $10 at the door or by reserving Will Call tickets on the Website, docutah.com. This film wraps up the monthly series for DOCUTAH@TheELECTRIC just ten days before the seventh season of the DOCUTAH International Documentary Film Festival, which kicks off on September 6.