Blackfish (2013)

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. CNN Films, Manny O. Productions

Blackfish makes a convincing case for why killer whales should not be kept in captivity or made to perform. It focuses on the story of Tilikum, a large male whale who in the years after he was captured off the coast of Iceland in 1983 killed two trainers and was probably involved in the death of a third man. Tilikum died at SeaWorld Florida earlier this year.

Blackfish is told largely from the point of view of a handful of former SeaWorld trainers, who now believe keeping killer whales is cruel. The ex-staff members serve as a useful guide, because they once thought they as trainers shared a special bond with the whales and that the intelligent mammals enjoyed performing for cheering crowds. Their growing discomfort with the practise, grief at the death of experienced trainer and friend Dawn Brancheau and decision to speak out against the theme park follows the emotional path director Gabriela Cowperthwaite wants her audience to tread. Blackfish also uses historical footage of Tilikum and other whales performing in shows and interviews experts who talk about killer whale behaviour in the wild and the impact on their physical and emotional health of being kept in captivity.

Cowperthwaite said in interviews about Blackfish that she did not set out to make an animal rights film, but in learning more about the whales she found a story. The film focusses sharply on the plight of the whales and the safety of trainers and does not stray into the ethics of keeping other wild animals confined, a clarity that makes it more persuasive. Predictably, SeaWorld hit back at Blackfish after the film’s release, but given theme park officials refused to be involved in the documentary, their complaints about unfair treatment can be given only limited weight. Blackfish is a powerful film that manages to entertain as well as educate.