The ‘sad movie cat’ Alfie in the new spy film Argylle is no reason for northern cinemas to take action. Animal rights organizations believe that they should alert the public to the health problems of these cats.
Even before its release, on January 31, there was a fuss about the spy film Argylle . To be precise: about cat Alfie, a so-called Scottish fold, who is carried around by the protagonist in a backpack.
According to veterinarians, the breed, with its typical forward folded ears, has a hereditary, painful cartilage disorder and may not be bred in the Netherlands. The trade is (still) allowed, although it is expected that it will also be banned in 2025.
Run on ‘cinema animals’
Doctors and animal rights organizations are afraid that moviegoers will want to buy a Scottish fold en masse after seeing the film. They point to the run that arose earlier on snowy owls (after the films of Harry Potter ), clownfish ( Nemo ) and Dalmatians ( 101 dalmatiers ).
On their behalf, Dier & Recht has asked the cinemas to show a clear disclaimer before and after the film that informs visitors about the health problems of this breed. However, the cinemas do not intend to do so, according to a tour. They believe that the responsibility for this lies with the filmmakers and distributors.
“We have just had discussions as an industry and decided that we will do nothing,” says Rink Klaassen of Kinepolis, with branches in Emmen and Groningen. “The credits always state that there was no animal suffering in the making of the film, or something like that. That’s the end of the matter for us.”
‘It’s difficult what to do with this’
“I don’t make the films, I just show them,” responds owner Koos Abeln of Smoky in Stadskanaal, who received an email from Dier & Recht a few weeks ago.
“To be honest, I find it difficult what to do with this. I’m just a small movie theater. What kind of disclaimer should I show? I don’t have a mockery for that or anything. Or should I put up a poster? Or drop off pamphlets with the link I received from Dier & Recht? I want to do something, but I don’t know what.”
Abeln and in fact all his colleagues also point to the end credits of films, which always contain disclaimers.
“They are not about whether or not to buy this breed, but they are about the welfare of the animals,” says Bhodi Lesage, head of the De Nieuw Kolk cinema in Assen.
Claudia Schiffer’s cat
Lesage heard on the radio on Tuesday morning about the fuss surrounding the cat. “I understand that even cinemas have been asked not to show the film. That is of course not an option. You have contracts that you have to adhere to. By the way, it is not the case that the cat suddenly just appears. He seems to be quite well known already.”
The cat belongs to Claudia Schiffer, who is married to filmmaker Matthew Vaughn and now goes by the name Claudia Vaughn.
Esther Daems, manager of Pathé in Groningen, had not heard anything about the matter on Tuesday morning. Do they expect Scottish fold to become popular because of this film? “Then the film must be very big,” is her first reaction. “For the rest: of course there are often social issues in a film. We are just a conduit.” According to her, Pathé does not have an official position at the moment.
The distributor of Argylle , which the cinemas refer to, is Universal. Spokeswoman Patty Watson says the Dutch branch has raised the issue with its Los Angeles headquarters, which has yet to get back to it. “We cannot decide on our own about this film, which is going worldwide.”