Cannes Lions Grand Prix Goes To Film Of Lab Rabbit Who Looks Like Your Neighbor

Video screenshot via Humane Society International

Like many other adults, Ralph has a daily routine that’s pretty much occupied by work. Whether there’s fulfillment in his job is another thing altogether, but being bred into this life convinces him that he’s happy.

Only thing: Ralph is a rabbit and tests cosmetics for a living, quite literally. While his way of life is not something that humans can relate with, Ralph is not an outlier: He represents countless lab rabbits and animals whose only purpose is to serve as guinea pigs for consumer products.

The affable rabbit is depicted in a four-minute film by Humane Society International called Save Ralph. Imagining a day in the life of the tester, the stop-motion mockumentary humanizes animals like Ralph and redirects the carrying out of cruelty onto figures who could be our friends, neighbors, or loved ones.

Ralph, who is blind in one eye and deaf in one ear from chemical burns, cheerfully tells his interviewer (voiced by Ricky Gervais of The Office UK) that everybody in his family—his parents, siblings, and even his kids—are testers too and that they’re all happy, clearly internalizing generations of abuse.

He adds that without humans, his folk wouldn’t have a job and would instead be running around on fields.

“It’s so important that Ralph feels real because he represents countless real animals who suffer every day,” says Spencer Susser, who directed the short. The animation was voiced by notable names like Taika Waititi, Gervais, Zac Efron, Olivia Munn, Pom Klementieff, Tricia Helfer, and Rodrigo Santoro.

The poignant film—whose official YouTube video has racked up over 14 million views—has been presented with the Grand Prix for Good at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival, in addition to a Gold Lions and one shortlisted award.

Over here, we talk a lot about product design and innovation, and although many of these projects are novel and inspiring, there’s a darker underbelly that’s hidden from the public eye.

Save Ralph’s impact on raising global awareness about animal testing has been significant. Since the animation’s premiere in April 2021, Humane Society International says that the film “has already helped propel Mexico to become the first North American country to ban cosmetic animal testing,” as well as inspired “millions of people” to sign its petition to ban the practice.

[via Cannes Lions and Humane Society International, video and cover image via Humane Society International]