Off the Fence boards animal rights feature doc Crime or Rescue

Crime or Rescue is described as a “romantic true crime story”

Factual content distributor Off the Fence has acquired forthcoming animal rights feature documentary Crime or Rescue.

From director Rebecca Loviconi (Slay), the 1×90’ doc follows animal rights activists who risk prison to rescue animals from testing facilities and factory farms. It features exclusive access to the open rescue in March this year and consequent legal battle after activists raided a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility, rescuing 22 dogs and triggering 20 arrests.

Weeks later, they returned with 2,000 people to free every remaining dog, sparking a global media storm, with the mass open rescue leading to the permanent closure of the centre.

Billed as a “romantic true crime story,” it also centres on an activist and lawyer who met during filming and subsequently got married.

Crime or Rescue is expected to be delivered late this year. Loviconi, founder of Swiss animal rights prodco For the Animals, produces with Ellen Windemuth (My Octopus Teacher) and Jay Karandikar (Slay, Humans & Other Animals). The film’s soundtrack features music by Moby, who acts as exec producer.