Horrifying documentary 'everyone needs to see once' that led to hostage crisis

A hostage scene in Ukraine ended after president met one of the gunman's bizarre demands - to make people aware of a 2005 documentary film about humanity's abuse of animals. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, Earthlings documents the abuse animals suffer in industrial agriculture. Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, filmmaker Shaun Monson exposes the suffering endured by animals at factory farms, research labs, puppy mills and more. 15 years after its release, a gunman armed with an automatic rifle took 12 people hostage in Ukraine.

Maksym Kryvosh, who was 44 at the time, seized a bus and demanded that dozens of government officials admit to being "terrorists". During the hostage crisis, Kryvosh opened fire and threw a grenade at a police drone. One hostage, who spoke to a journalist on the phone, begged police to put the gunmate in touch with President Zelensky. After Zelensky spoke directly to Kryvosh via phone, he released three of the hostages. The rest were let go after the president posted a short video on his official Facebook page saying: "Everybody watch the 2005 film 'Earthlings.'"

Zelensky deleted the video after Krivosh surrendered and the hostages were released. There were no reports of deaths or injuries. The Ukrainian president then posted a message thanking police and others who helped end the hostage situation.

"Human life is the most important value. We have not lost anyone," Zelenskiy wrote. Local media reported that Kryvosh was an animal rights activist and was described by police as "unstable" after the incident.

The director of Earthlings condemned Kryvosh after the incident, declaring his film does not "condone acts of terror"."'Earthlings' does not endorse or condone acts of terror, as its message is one of compassion for all beings. The film's content is the ongoing global slaughter of billions of defenseless animals, which is not only detrimental to human health but a primary cause of climate change," Monson told Variety.

"However, we do not cause terror to awaken people to terror. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this ordeal, to their families, as well as the authorities who ensured that no lives were lost. May we move forward with non-violence toward all."

On Instagram, a user by the name of , who has more than one million followers, insisted Earthlings is a documentary that everyone needs to see at least once.

Another one that I have seen once and everybody should see once is Earthlings. I almost threw up watching this because I have a really hard time watching horrible things be done to animals and pets which is basically the whole documentary and it scarred me for life.

Another agreed: "Earthlings is a brilliant documentary, it's so much more than just sad footage... the narration is incredible and really challenges all the things that we have been spoon fed regarding animal industries. It covers every industry in depth and many of it still goes on today. 100% recommend for educational purposes."

A third echoed: "I think Earthlings is important. If people are going to eat meat or dairy, they should absolutely know the facts this documentary shares. They should have to bear witness to the pain and suffering of industrial farming."