Blackfish - film
Blackfish is a 2013 American documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The film focuses on Tilikum, a captive killer whale that was involved in the deaths of three people, and the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity for entertainment purposes.
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The documentary explores the life and history of Tilikum, who was captured off the coast of Iceland in 1983 and brought to Sealand of the Pacific, a now-defunct marine park in British Columbia, Canada. The film interviews former Sealand trainers and witnesses, who describe the aggressive behavior of Tilikum and the other whales in captivity. The film also examines the practice of taking orcas from the wild and placing them in small, artificial environments, and the physical and psychological effects of such confinement on these highly intelligent and social animals.
The centerpiece of the film is the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010, who was killed by Tilikum during a performance at the Orlando park. Blackfish examines the events leading up to the attack, as well as the aftermath, including the investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the controversy surrounding SeaWorld's handling of the incident.
The film has been widely praised for its powerful message about the treatment of orcas in captivity and its impact on human safety. It has also been credited with raising awareness about the issue and leading to significant changes in public opinion and policy.
The film also had a significant impact on public perception of killer whale captivity, leading to increased scrutiny and criticism of SeaWorld and other marine parks. In the years following the release of Blackfish SeaWorld saw a decline in attendance and revenue and eventually announced the end of its orca breeding program and the phasing out of its orca shows.
Blackfish is widely considered to be one of the most important and influential documentaries of recent years, shining a light on the ethical and moral concerns surrounding the captivity of killer whales for entertainment purposes.
"Blackfish" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2013 and was later released in theaters and on television. The film was nominated for numerous awards and won the Humanitas Prize, among others.
See also
External links
- Blackfish IMDB