Blackfish (2013) - Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Gabriela Cowperthwaite's Blackfish is a scathing documentary centered on the SeaWorld organization's practices when it comes to the Killer Whales they keep in captivity.  We've all been entranced by these massive creatures, with Blackfish exploring the double standard which many humans place on these wild animals.  They are majestic, friendly giants with a propensity to turn vicious when pushed.  Sea World and its trainers do very little to make sure these animal's are tended too and treated in an humane manner.  Blackfish is a talking heads style documentary that uses interviews from experts and ex-trainers along with never-before-seen footage to expose the cruel treatment of the Orcas over the last few decades.  While the mistreatment of animals is certainly a powerful enough topic, the greed-driven decision-making by Sea World is what I found truly fascinating.  As the film moves along it becomes more and more clear that Sea World is a company that cares little about anything but the financial bottomline.  We see how the company cuts corners at every turn, often in ways that endanger not only the Orcas, but the trainers and even tourists who visit their parks.  From a filmmaking standpoint Blackfish is an average documentary but the story itself is powerful, with the film making a strong argument for the freedom of all the Orca's in captivity
6/10

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