By Nell Alk / Source: Ecorazzi

Darren

It’s little wonder writer and director Darren Aronofsky was selected to receive the Humane Society’s inaugural Humane Filmmaker Award: An outspoken vegetarian who openly lauds live animal alternatives in motion pictures — among other forms of entertainment, such as the circus — and whom with Noah relied entirely on CGI, this forward-thinking cinematic savant is the perfect candidate for recognition.

Just over two weeks ago, at the HSUS To The Rescue! Benefit Gala in New York, after being introduced by music legend Patti Smith, this innovative talent took the stage at Cipriani 42nd Street to accept his rightful prize.

“Thank you to The Humane Society of the United States who has been striving to keep our relatives in the animal kingdom out of harm’s way for sixty years now. What a beautiful mission, especially at this moment in time, when there isn’t a corner of the planet that isn’t explored and often exploited in some fashion. We need to have clear voices for those who cannot speak.”

The room erupted in applause, guests elated to embrace an individual who, particularly amid the celebrity set, is one of the truly good guys. Alongside the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Emily Deschanel, Woody Harrelson and Alicia Silverstone, to name a few, Aronofsky proves earnestly empathetic to animals’ plight and quite willing to address what far too few famous folks make mention of.

Aronofsky continued, “How fortuitous to receive this honor for Noah. I took some slack when I released the film because some people were shocked that I called Noah a naturalist. The first environmentalist. I still can’t figure out why that is so contended. Noah was instructed by the Creator to build an ark to save the animals. Humanity had filled the world with violence and the Creator was not just punishing man, he was starting over, he was giving the natural world a second chance. And Noah, Noah the vegan (as were Adam and Eve, by the way), was the man he instructed to carry out this call to save the animal kingdom. In some ways, Noah was the true founder of the humane society.”

More accolades. While he has yet to take the vegan leap, Aronofsky is saying and doing more than most. He doesn’t shy away from shedding favorable light on the subject, as evidenced by Russell Crowe’s Noah and alluding to Adam and Eve’s diet before the fall. He even acknowledged to us that it isn’t a terribly tough transition.

“I’m vegetarian. I’ve done the first step,” he told Ecorazzi on the red carpet. “I haven’t made the shift yet. It’s not that hard. You can do it.”

And by you he of course means one, as in (any)one can do it, since he was aware when responding to our query that this reporter is a plant-based devotee. And, duh, because anyone can do it. Anyway, do we wish he’d eschew eggs and dairy ASAP? Oh, heck yes. But we’ve got to hand it to him for where he is now and how vocal — and hopeful — he is about it.

His reading of the Bible is likewise one of optimism, as articulated during his speech: “I find it inspiring that the first 11 chapters of the Bible, which contains western culture’s founding myths, [has] such a deep humane message built into the stories. From the majesty and poetry of creation in Genesis 1 to the directive that humanity is to be a steward of this creation in Genesis 215. There is an underlying and founding message that we need to live in balance with the natural world. We need to take care of the animals that we named and name.”

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