Blackfish

About Blackfish

"Blackfish" is a compelling documentary film released in 2013. The film, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, falls under the Social & Cultural Docs genre and focuses on the captivity of killer whales, particularly Tilikum, an orca involved in the deaths of several people while in captivity. The documentary sheds light on the treatment of orcas in captivity and the consequences of keeping these intelligent creatures in confined spaces for entertainment purposes.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music / Soundtrack

About

The documentary delves into the life of Tilikum, an orca captured in the wild and kept in captivity by SeaWorld. It explores the psychological and physical effects of captivity on orcas, the dangers posed to trainers, and the ethical implications of using marine mammals for entertainment purposes. Through interviews with former SeaWorld trainers and experts, "Blackfish" raises awareness about the plight of orcas and challenges the ethics of keeping them in captivity.

Making / Production

"Blackfish" was produced by Manny Oteyza and directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The film was shot over the course of several years and required extensive research into the history of orca captivity and the incidents involving Tilikum. The filmmakers aimed to present a balanced and thought-provoking narrative that would spark conversations about animal welfare and the ethics of keeping marine mammals in captivity.

Actors

• Various former SeaWorld trainers - Providing firsthand accounts of their experiences and perspectives on working with orcas.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "Blackfish" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013.
• The film had a significant impact on public perception and led to increased scrutiny of marine parks and their treatment of animals.

Quotes

• "When you look into their eyes, you know somebody is home. Somebody is looking back." - Former SeaWorld trainer.
• "There is no record of an orca doing any harm to a human in the wild." - Expert interview.

Awards

"Blackfish" received critical acclaim and won awards for Best Documentary at the Provincetown International Film Festival and the National Board of Review Awards.

Music / Soundtrack

• The documentary features a haunting and evocative soundtrack composed by Jeff Beal, enhancing the emotional impact of the film.