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University examines portrayal of donkeys in film

Elliot Ball
BBC News, South West
University of Exeter Donkey pictured surrounded by other donkeys. It has a brown body with a nose and brown face. University of Exeter
The Donkey Sanctuary deputy CEO said the animal had been misrepresented for "too long"

Students at the University of Exeter have been tasked to examine how donkeys are portrayed in films.

The new Communications, Drama and Film module looks at how the animal has been represented and treated in films as varied as The Banshees of Inisherin, Shrek, Jesus of Nazareth and EO.

Students and staff from the university, which has campuses in Devon and Cornwall, will work with staff at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon, observing and recording their interactions with the animals.

Dr Faith Burden, Deputy CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary, said: "For too long donkeys have been misrepresented in popular culture and this has done them a great disservice."

University of Exeter Four students stand with two donkeys, which are grey and brown in colour. The students are seen wearing warm, winter clothing. The animals and students are stood in a wooden pen. University of Exeter
The students will record their interactions with the animals as part of the module

She welcomed the potential positive impact the module could have on the welfare of donkeys and other animals in film.

"It's fantastic to know that a new generation of filmmakers will have a critical understanding of the link between the way animals are portrayed on-screen and the values we accord them in real life, and the implications this has for their welfare," said Dr Burden.

"By observing and spending time with the donkeys here in Sidmouth, these students will have the chance to develop a lifelong appreciation of what sensitive and intelligent animals they really are, and the impact their work can have on them."

'An extraordinary opportunity'

Dr Fiona Handyside, co-lead for the module, said: "When the actor Colin Farrell and the director Martin McDonagh both acknowledged Jenny the Donkey in their acceptance speeches for Banshees at The Golden Globes, it raised fascinating questions for how we think about interpreting animal performance."

Fellow co-lead for the module, Dr Benedict Morrison, described the collaboration between the university and The Donkey Sanctuary as "an extraordinary opportunity".

He said: "Its aim is to transform how we think about our relationship with not just donkeys, but animals more widely – or 'more than human animals' as we refer to them in academic study.

"In partnering with the sanctuary, the donkeys are not just distant objects of study; they become participants, 'in conversation' with the students."

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