Showcase Cinemas UK will be exclusively screening the specialist guinea pig documentary, The Keeper of The Pigs, starting November 9. The film, which follows the humorous and heart-warming adventure of director Sharon Walia and rescue center owner, Shaz Kelly, on their voyage from the UK to Peru, sets out to discover the forgotten history of the guinea pig, in one of the first major documentaries about the curious creatures.
The idea for the film was born when freelance journalist Walia filmed a news report about a local guinea pig rescue in the midlands, which subsequently went viral. She then juggled her jobs as a journalist and in Parliament to make the film, travelling to South America in between lockdowns and returning to edit the footage at home in the evenings.
Walia said “As an animal lover and vegan, filming people eating guinea pigs was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but never have I been to a country that celebrates an animal like Peru does the guinea pig.
“The film offers exclusive government access of the launch of a new breed of guinea pig in Peru, as well as into the annual guinea pig festival which has never been filmed before. Viewers will also get the opportunity to hear the story of a man who was buried in a guinea pig inspired coffin, as well as witnessing footage from two of the biggest guinea pig sanctuaries in the UK, so hopefully people will be able to get a real insight into these furry creatures on the big screen.”
Richard Leonard, film programming director at Showcase Cinemas said, “We’re really pleased that we’re able to work with Sharon and Shaz on the release of The Keeper of the Pigs, while simultaneously highlighting some extremely important issues around animal keeping.”
Alongside Showcase Cinemas, the film is also supported by animal charities PETA and Blue Cross, as well as The Guinea Pig Magazine and rescue centers.
Showcase Cinemas UK showcasecinemas.co.uk