BlackFish

Many of us have experienced the excitement and awe of watching 8,000 pound , or “,” soar out of the water and fly through the air at , as if in with their trainers.

Worries over the safety of mixing killer whales with human trainers in the same tank of water at SeaWorld are, of course, not unfounded. There have been numerous incidents – besides Brancheau's death – as seen in BLACKFISH.

Worries over the safety of mixing killer whales with human trainers in the same tank of water at SeaWorld are, of course, not unfounded. There have been numerous incidents – besides Brancheau’s death – as seen in .

Yet this mighty black and white mammal has many sides – a majestic, friendly giant, seemingly eager to take trainers for a ride around the pool, yet shockingly – and unpredictably – able to turn on them at a moment’s notice. BLACKFISH unravels the complexities of this dichotomy, employing the story of notorious performing whale Tilikum, who – unlike any orca in the wild – has taken the lives of several people while in captivity. So what went wrong?

In BLACKFISH, writer/director GABRIELA COWPERTHWAITE not only tells their story, but, through their words and those of renowned and respected whale experts and educators, that of Tilikum himself. Viewers come to understand the complex social and of the majestic orcas, enabling them to begin to comprehend the effects removing them from their natural environments can have on the creatures.

Tilikum’s story is told from the time of his initial capture in the North Atlantic in 1983 at approximately two years of age, to his first non-ocean “home” at another park, Sealand of The Pacific, where, in 1991, he was responsible for killing trainer KELTIE BYRNE. Shortly after, he was sold to SeaWorld Orlando, where trainers were largely kept in the dark about the whale’s involvement in Byrne’s death and permitted to work closely with him. They share with the audience the “party line” of incorrect whale facts given to park visitors – from diminished whale lifespans to whales performing tricks (or “behaviors,” in SeaWorldspeak) because “they want to.”

Several whale attacks are seen and explained, including a particularly harrowing one involving trainer KEN PETERS, who skillfully – and miraculously – survived the grip of a killer whale who refused to release him, dragging him to the bottom of the park’s tank repeatedly for long periods over a torturous 12 minute session of seemingly inexplicable misbehavior.

Related content

MoreMovieDetails

All Posts
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Share this article: BlackFish

Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Pinterest
Email

MORE TOPICS

Extraction

In Extraction Kellan Lutz plays rookie CIA analyst Harry Turner, who wants to become an international spy like his father veteran agent Leonard Turner, played by Bruce Willis. Gina Carano also stars in the movie.

Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie

Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie (shorthand B$M) is a comedy film written and directed by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, creators of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. The film stars both Heidecker and Wareheim.

Closed Circuit

In the international suspense thriller Closed Circuit starring Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall and directed by John Crowley, a high-profile terrorism case unexpectedly binds together two ex-lovers on the defense team – testing the limits of their loyalties and placing their lives in jeopardy.

A Gritty Dive into the Psyche of Madness: Review of Joker (2019)

Despite the controversy it has aroused due to its violent and bleak narrative, Joker stands as an outstanding piece of cinema. Phoenix gives a career-defining performance, becoming the embodiment of an iconic character while transforming it entirely at the same time. Phillips’ direction invites introspection even as it shocks.

Nerve

The bigger the risk, the bigger the payoff in Nerve, an exhilarating thriller set on the streets of New York City, where amateur daredevils compete in an all-or-nothing game that mines their online information to exploit their wildest dreams—and their deepest fears.