– The world premiere of ‘The Road to Yulin… and Beyond’ documentary at the Los Angeles Awareness Film Festival –
On October 5, 2017, our Editor-in-Chief Lisa Vanderpump and her daughter, BHL’s Executive Editor Pandora Vanderpump Sabo, hosted the premiere of their documentary, THE ROAD TO YULIN…AND BEYOND, alongside Lisa’s husband Ken Todd and their business partner Dr. John Sessa. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Awareness Film Festival at LA Live in Downtown Los Angeles. The evening was a star-studded event where hundreds of celebrities, activists and influencers came out to support and raise awareness for the film’s important message.
Focused on The Vanderpump Dog Foundation’s fight to end the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, the film gives an in depth look at the dichotomy between the empathetic, companionship-based human/canine relationships exhibited in many countries, and the horrific and brutal interactions that dogs face in parts of the world that have an unrestrained dog meat trade. “It’s been a long journey to bring this documentary to fruition, and has exposed us to atrocities that are indelibly etched on my mind. With this film, we hope to not only bring more attention to what is happening in Yulin, but also educate and inspire a new generation to fight this barbaric practice,” said Lisa Vanderpump.
“This documentary covers the last two years of our mission trips to China to expose the torture that occurs during the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival. I have led our Foundation’s visits to China, and have witnessed the animal cruelty firsthand, delved into slaughterhouses, and participated in rescue missions to try to save as many dogs as possible. Our hopes for this documentary is to raise global awareness about the important issues it explores, and help us end the Yulin Dog Meat Festival forever,” said Executive Director Dr. John Sessa.
Many celebrities and Yulin activists attended the event, including Leona Lewis, Maria Menounos, Christy Gibel, Lance Bass, Michael Turchin, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, Camille Grammer, Dorit Kemsley, Teddi Jo Mellencamp, and Erika Jayne; Joyce Giraud, Heather McDonald and Vanderpump Rules’ Katie Maloney Schwartz, Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval and Kristen Doute.
“We are so thankful for the support of our advocates, friends and allies in this fight against the Yulin Dog Meat Festival. Last night was an incredible night, seeing so many people united to help our cause,” Executive Producer of the film, Kenneth Todd, said of the documentary premiere.
The documentary credits Lisa Vanderpump as Producer, Kenneth Todd as Executive Producer, Pandora Vanderpump Sabo as Producer and Co-Writer, and Dr. John Sessa as Producer, Co-Writer and Director. The film features an Original Song “(We All Are) Looking for Home”, written by Diane Warren and performed by Leona Lewis.
The Vanderpump Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dog rescue organization, working on both a domestic and international front to help create a better world for dogs globally. To find out more or to contact, please visit www.vanderpumpdogs.org
Photography by Faye Sadou
