Review: Blackfish (2013)

Cast: Kim Ashdown, Samantha Berg, Dave Duffus
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Country: USA
Genre: Documentary
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Notes: Blackfish opens in Toronto at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Friday, July 19 & Vancouver on Friday, August 2, 2013. The film is being released in Canada by KINOSMITH INC.

Tilikum is an orca that has killed three people since 1991. He was captured off the east coast of Iceland in 1983 at the tender age of two. It’s important to note that male orcas spend their entire lives with their mother. Experts state that male orcas rely on their mother due to their matrilineal system. Let that sink in for a moment. Imagine the irreversible psychological damage suffered by Tilikum and his mother. In the wild, Tilikum was meant to be cared for and nurtured by his mother. Instead, Tilikum was subject to unpunished, inexcusable cruelty.

Tilikum was relocated to “Sealand of the Pacific” in Victoria, BC. He was subject to a an inhumane training technique involving starvation. The trainers rewarded Tilikum with food when he performed as instructed. When Tilikum did not perform, he was not fed. Add to the mix a pair of abusive dominant female orcas and Tilikum was subject to further inhumane conditions. When the business closed for the day the three orcas were moved to pitch black tanks, measuring 20 feet in length and 30 feet deep. It was common for the female orcas to “rake” Tilikum, covering his body with scratches and bites that frequently drew blood causing further abuse to a helpless animal.

Blackfish opens with the emergency call when the death of Dawn Brancheau was first reported. The call is haunting, setting up the audience for the most harrowing cinematic experience of the year.

February 21, 1991 marks the first time Tilikum killed a trainer. Keltie Byrne slipped into the tank where Tilikum pulled her under water, drowning her in front of a group of horrified spectators. The incident was categorized as an accident. All blame and responsibility vanished. The owner closed shop and sold Tilikum to SeaWorld where he became a star.

Blackfish opens with the emergency call when the death of Dawn Brancheau was first reported. The call is haunting, setting up the audience for the most harrowing cinematic experience of the year. The film is a tough watch, it’s not without it’s bright spots and positive stories.

Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Director/Writer/Producer) transitions to a group of former SeaWorld trainers. Each trainer speaks highly of his or her experiences at SeaWorld. There is a glow in their eyes when they speak of times spent with Tilikum and the rest of the orcas. They were all so young when they started and knew nothing about killer whales. It begs the question, are all trainers/handlers receiving the necessary education and safety training?

There are moments when the former trainers speak about Brancheau in the present tense. Brancheau’s spirit will live forever. That’s the beauty of this film. Despite such a tragic event, all involved stayed strong. Brancheau’s sacrifice may lead to stricter rules surrounding animal trainers placing themselves in dangerous situations. Could Brancheau’s death set a precedent for future killings by animals in captivity? One can only hope this happens sooner rather than later.

This film will impact families and make them second-guess whether they should support an organization like SeaWorld. The treatment witnessed through recovered footage is devastating. The content is front and centre for everyone to see. The raw approach to exposing gross mistreatment of orcas is fearless and essential filmmaking. There is no soft way to tell this story. Audiences will feel anger, melancholy and an overwhelming sense of shock. Audiences are supposed to feel this way. Throughout the film Cowperthwaite exposes lies told by SeaWorld, such as the average lifespan of orcas in captivity vs. orcas in the wild. It’s frightening to witness young workers unknowingly pass on false information. It’s an important lesson to learn. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Through the interviews with former trainers it’s evident that SeaWorld management intimidates their workers into never questioning decisions made on-site.

 The content is front and centre for everyone to see. The raw approach to exposing gross mistreatment of orcas is fearless and essential filmmaking.

The main goal of the film is to raise awareness and tell the true side of the story. Blackfish accomplishes that goal. SeaWorld employees were silenced by management as the tragic events unfolded. SeaWorld put their own spin on the events leading up to Brancheau’s death. Ask your average Joe and he will tell you the death was an accident due to the fact that Brancheau wore her hair in a pony tail. Thanks to the brave former employees for stepping forward to claim it was no accident.

It’s remarkable to witness a small group take on a billion dollar company. The former trainers are heroes for speaking up and exposing the truth. We as consumers have our own responsibility to do our own research, it also helps when groups are out there making a difference and raising awareness. Do not mistake this for a one sided story. SeaWorld has been telling their side of the story for decades. This is a courageous group of people coupled with a fearless filmmaker to make for an inspiring film.

There are other brave individuals who stepped forward to speak up for the orcas. Their stories are raw, emotional, devastating and informative. In that sense, Blackfish is a highly educational documentary. Audiences will discover information about orcas that will only make the stories more upsetting. This is a well researched, well presented film.

Cowperthwaite does a fine job of presenting the facts while allowing human emotions to occur naturally. There are moments in the film that move much better than most narrative fiction films at the cinemas. While there is a great deal of pain in the film there is also a ray of hope. The deaths of Keltie Byrne, Daniel Dukes and Dawn Brancheau cannot and will not be meaningless. Loved ones are taking steps toward providing a safer work environment for marine park trainers. There are a lot of positives that can come out of this film.

The entire crew of Blackfish should be applauded for their work as an entire unit. The research is top-notch and the narrative flows seamlessly. The cinematography is outstanding. The editing receives high praise because the film is razor sharp. The score from Jeff Beal is subtle yet effective. When the emotions well up inside you, Beal ensures that tear finds it’s way out of the corner of your eye.

Blackfish is one of the best documentaries in recent years. There is a lot going on in this film. The commentary on large corporations and liability is an elephant in the room. Cowperthwaite challenges us to look at things we would prefer to avoid. It’s time to own up to our actions and decisions we make on a daily basis. It’s not enough to be a passive consumer when all of the information is out there within our grasp. Want to make a difference in this world? Vote with your wallet, see this film and take a deep look within.

For showtimes and more information on Blackfish visit the film’s official website.

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Adrian Charlie

Staff Film Critic

I'm from Victoria BC and love watching films from all corners of the world. I'm fascinated by interpreting films and connecting with other film lovers. I love sharp, clever dialogue (QT), beautifully shot films (The Thin Red Line) and a filmmaker who trusts the audience to put it all together and leave room for discussion (PTA).

Latest posts by Adrian Charlie (see all)

• Interview: Gabriela Cowperthwaite on Blackfish - July 10, 2013
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