Documentaries frequently seek to uncover some truth, spread an awareness or shed light on a wrongly neglected issue. They are “eye-openers,” intended to call viewers to action, often too raw and unsettling to screen in theaters. Magnolia Pictures’ Blackfish fits this popular documentary mold highlighting the history of orcas in captivity — particularly Seaworld’s capitalization on killer whales. Through a well presented and in-depth investigation, Blackfish proves that the aquatic theme park’s many scandals and covert abuses stem from its inhumane possession and treatment of orcas.
Trips to Seaworld are highly-anticipated favorites among family units who enjoy water rides, such as Atlantis, and relish the coastal weather of San Diego and Orlando.
Unique to Seaworld is the parentally appreciated, supposedly educational aspects of its various exhibits. Children can be seen pointing in wonder at the manatees or sharks, while a park guide reads biological facts. Kids press their noses to the thick glass panes, only feet away from the slowly swimming creatures, while parents read off a poster the dangers of extinction. Yet intermingled in this environment of “fun learning” are blatant lies, cover-ups and misinformation.
Seaworld visitors are led to believe that park animals — particularly the whales — live better in the park than they would in the wild. They don’t have to worry about hunting the ever diminishing seal population. They live longer because the park provides extensive medical attention. They have clean tanks and other whale companions and endless amounts of fish to eat.
Blackfish wants viewers to know the truth.
In reality, orcas have a lifespan similar to the average human, with females typically surviving to about 100 years. In pools, the whales live only 25 to 35 years. Orcas thrive on the hunt and know how to provide for their young, preferring a large and strategized kill to the fish snacks they receive after correctly executed, trained behaviors. While nearly every killer whale in captivity has a collapsed dorsal fin from lack of long distance travel, those found in the wild remain upright until death. Throughout the film, experts confront the blatant lies spun and presented to the public by Seaworld.
A central focus in Blackfish is the endangerment of trainers and covering-up of their inevitable, often fatal, catastrophes — specifically the murder of senior Seaworld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. The documentary presents very graphic footage and trainer testimonial of orca attacks. Viewers see the most expert trainers drowned, bitten, broken and crushed. In the tragic case of beloved trainer Dawn Brancheau, a bull orca named Tillikum mauled her, fractured her jaw, elbow and several ribs, scalped her and more. Brancheau’s death is the third related to Tillikum, yet he continues to perform. Like many of film’s trainer attacks, Brancheau’s horrific murder was caught on tape by a family of Seaworld guests.
Seaworld presented each of the Orca incidents as accidents resulting from trainer error. The administration did not even truthfully inform other trainers. All of the horrifying attacks were swept under the rug with no action to remove the multi-million dollar whales or further protect the staff. Time and time again, the public has been told to believe that a trainer slipped into the wrong tank, wore inappropriate attire or drowned independently.
However, the tragedies are undeniably orca triggered and executed. Their acts of violence are disturbing and paint orcas in a murderous light, but Blackfish explains the shocking outbursts as to be expected. In the wild, the whales travel hundreds of miles each day in extremely close-knit family pods. In parks, they swim circles in the same dull, foreign enclosure for decades on end, removed from their parents and offspring. One expert confidently asserted that “all whales in captivity are psychologically traumatized.” Like any human forcefully trapped in a bathtub for 20 years straight, there comes a breaking point. The whales inevitably snap and dedicated trainers pay the price.
Orcas are arguably some of the most intelligent creatures on the planet, with brains more developed than those of humans.
Each pod speaks a unique language like humans across countries and cultures. They are incredibly social, loyal and family-oriented. Seaworld’s intervention in their natural state must come to an end.
Blackfish has garnered endless acclaim and is a must-see film. Although viewers will endure gut-wrenching aggression, heartbreaking loss and unthinkable methodology throughout the film’s 81 minutes, the film’s walkaway is necessary.
