Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
This documentary follows the controversial captivity of whales, focusing on some tragic events that happened at Sea World.
Blackfish has received many plaudits and rightly so. If you haven’t seen this documentary yet then go and do so at the earliest opportunity because it makes for enthralling, and harrowing viewing.
While it focuses on Sea World it goes back and shows how the Orcas were captured in the 70s, and the ramifications of those actions today. Now, I used to work in Orlando but I never actually made it to Sea World so the only knowledge I have of it was from my friends who went. The company itself refused to be interviewed for the documentary, and its easy to see why with the evidence presented about the treatment of the whales. The majority of testimony comes from former trainers who talk about their experiences, and it’s very moving. It’s clear these people formed a strong bond with the animals and they talk about the whales as thought they were family members. Many of them are driven to tears, and at times it is difficult to watch.
It’s an important film to watch, and it sheds a lot of light on the treatment of animals in captivity. Definitely a must-see.
