Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Running Time: 83 minutes
Certificate: Exempt
Extras: UK Trailer, Q & A With Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Following the fantastic UNDEFEATED and an ever-growing, and impressive, catalogue DOGWOOF are forging quite the reputation for their documentary releases. Continuing their excellent output is BLACKFISH, a film that examines the risks and repercussions of keeping and training Killer Whales, and the alleged cover-ups that lead to the death of three people at the hands of Tilikum,
The beauty in BLACKFISH is in director Cowperthwaite’s ability to get the most out of the numerous interviewees, and the fantastic footage she’s obtained. Film of trainers for Seaworld Florida amongst others are shown, putting into context not just the size, but the sheer strength of the whales. Much of the footage shows the trainers happy, and the animals too but there is a deep under current of danger running through the film. This danger rears its head in Tilikum’s story and the subsequent lawsuit as a result of his actions. This lawsuit is what differentiates BLACKFISH from many other documentaries which look at animals in captivity; this hook is what draws the viewer in.
As the lawsuit is revealed the talking heads – including former trainers, activists and eye witnesses – are transformed from mere people into warriors fighting for, in some cases, their friends who are both the victim and the culprit. These opposing angles make BLACKFISH impossible to ignore and make you care about every aspect be it the whales, the lawsuit or the people telling their stories.
BLACKFISH is on the one hand a spectacle of beauty and to watch the whale’s work is heart-warming and thrilling. On the other it is a serious look at the problems created by keeping such large creatures in captivity and isolation. This juxtaposition make these 83 minutes some of the most important and engrossing you will see: it will bend your mind one way then the next; it will make you laugh and cry, but one thing that’s guaranteed is you won’t be bored. Cowperthwaite has created a drama out of a crisis and it’s fantastic.
BLACKFISH is available on DVD now from Dogwoof. You can pick up a copy via this link.
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