The perception of orcas has changed a lot in the past few decades. Though revered by some cultures (such as several Native American tribes and the Ainu of Japan), they've historically shared the bad reputation of sharks — there's a reason the name "killer whale" endured.
Then in the 1960s, scientists began studying these animals up close and perception slowly changed. While orcas are apex predators, they have no documented interest in hunting humans; if anything, they're playful. They're also some of the smartest animals around, with intelligence comparable to great apes; they communicate with each other and different pods have different languages.
This change in perception can be seen in film. In 1977, "Orca" was a "Jaws" knock-off that depicted a killer whale as a modern Moby Dick. By 1993, an orca became the star of a family movie: "Free Willy." I've not revisited "Free Willy" in over a decade, but it is a childhood favorite.
Then in the 1960s, scientists began studying these animals up close and perception slowly changed. While orcas are apex predators, they have no documented interest in hunting humans; if anything, they're playful. They're also some of the smartest animals around, with intelligence comparable to great apes; they communicate with each other and different pods have different languages.
This change in perception can be seen in film. In 1977, "Orca" was a "Jaws" knock-off that depicted a killer whale as a modern Moby Dick. By 1993, an orca became the star of a family movie: "Free Willy." I've not revisited "Free Willy" in over a decade, but it is a childhood favorite.
- 10/3/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. agreed on Tuesday to settle a class-action lawsuit stemming from the scathing 2013 documentary “Blackfish” for $65 million, according to court documents.
“Following more than five years of hard-fought litigation, Class Representatives have reached an agreement with Defendants to resolve all claims asserted in the Action and related claims in exchange for a $65,000,000.00 cash payment pursuant to the Stipulation,” the documents state.
A separate document filed with Security and Exchange Commission says the “proposed settlement does not include or constitute an admission, concession, or finding of any fault, liability, or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant.” In that document, SeaWorld said it will fund the settlement with about $45.5 million in insurance proceeds and about $19.5 million in cash.
Also Read: Tilikum, SeaWorld Killer Whale Featured in 'Blackfish,' Dies at 36
The lawsuit, filed back in 2014, accused SeaWorld of misleading investors about just how bad business had gotten in the aftermath of the documentary,...
“Following more than five years of hard-fought litigation, Class Representatives have reached an agreement with Defendants to resolve all claims asserted in the Action and related claims in exchange for a $65,000,000.00 cash payment pursuant to the Stipulation,” the documents state.
A separate document filed with Security and Exchange Commission says the “proposed settlement does not include or constitute an admission, concession, or finding of any fault, liability, or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant.” In that document, SeaWorld said it will fund the settlement with about $45.5 million in insurance proceeds and about $19.5 million in cash.
Also Read: Tilikum, SeaWorld Killer Whale Featured in 'Blackfish,' Dies at 36
The lawsuit, filed back in 2014, accused SeaWorld of misleading investors about just how bad business had gotten in the aftermath of the documentary,...
- 2/11/2020
- by Daniel Goldblatt
- The Wrap
Scott Eastwood encountered a group of wild orcas while vacationing in Mexico.
Eastwood, 32, shared moments from the magical yet slightly scary encounter on Instagram Wednesday.
“Stopped at some random beach along the coast of Baja to get a beer, and while eating lunch saw a group of Orcas out in the bay,” Eastwood captioned the video.
“We grabbed the paddle boards yelling at each other to paddle faster thinking we lost them until @parkstrailtale started making orca noises and slapping the water with his paddle. They turned around and came in to check us out!! Dory was right. We do speak,...
Eastwood, 32, shared moments from the magical yet slightly scary encounter on Instagram Wednesday.
“Stopped at some random beach along the coast of Baja to get a beer, and while eating lunch saw a group of Orcas out in the bay,” Eastwood captioned the video.
“We grabbed the paddle boards yelling at each other to paddle faster thinking we lost them until @parkstrailtale started making orca noises and slapping the water with his paddle. They turned around and came in to check us out!! Dory was right. We do speak,...
- 12/6/2018
- by Robyn Merrett
- PEOPLE.com
Over five years after its premiere, Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s wrenching documentary “Blackfish” is continuing to impact SeaWorld. Deadline reports that the company and former CEO James Atchison “have agreed to pay more than $5 million to settle federal charges that they covered up the negative impact of the documentary film ‘Blackfish’ on the company. … Without admitting or denying wrongdoing, SeaWorld agreed to a $4 million fine. Atchison agreed to pay more than $1 million in fines and ‘disgorgement,’ the legal term for the surrender of ill-gotten gains.”
Cowperthwaite’s film premiered at Sundance in 2013, where it stunned festival audiences, and was subsequently shown repeatedly on CNN, reaching millions of viewers who previously had little idea what actually happened at the marine animal parks. Despite numerous attempts to refute Cowperthwaite’s claims, SeaWorld was unable to turn the tide back as both celebrities and regular park-goers alike made their disdain clear, either by visibly...
Cowperthwaite’s film premiered at Sundance in 2013, where it stunned festival audiences, and was subsequently shown repeatedly on CNN, reaching millions of viewers who previously had little idea what actually happened at the marine animal parks. Despite numerous attempts to refute Cowperthwaite’s claims, SeaWorld was unable to turn the tide back as both celebrities and regular park-goers alike made their disdain clear, either by visibly...
- 9/19/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
A baby beluga born into captivity at SeaWorld Orlando died of unknown causes just moments after it was born to 17-year-old mom Whisper.
The theme park announced the death of the calf on Friday, stating in a press release that the beluga was born earlier in the week and was “unusually weak.”
“Unfortunately the unusually weak calf surfaced only briefly before sinking to the bottom of the pool. The animal care and veterinary teams reacted quickly and were able to reach the calf and begin emergency care. Despite their best efforts and expertise, we are saddened to confirm that the calf did not survive,...
The theme park announced the death of the calf on Friday, stating in a press release that the beluga was born earlier in the week and was “unusually weak.”
“Unfortunately the unusually weak calf surfaced only briefly before sinking to the bottom of the pool. The animal care and veterinary teams reacted quickly and were able to reach the calf and begin emergency care. Despite their best efforts and expertise, we are saddened to confirm that the calf did not survive,...
- 7/11/2017
- by Kelli Bender
- PEOPLE.com
Documentaries and chill? If you’re getting a bit tired of endlessly scrolling through Netflix movies, try these films on for size. Added plus: You might even accidentally learn something. The 13th Ava DuVernay’s latest documentary, “The 13th” sheds light on the prison industrial system and its relation to historical inequality in the United States. It’s titled after the 13th amendment which abolished slavery. “Blackfish” We can pretty much credit the downfall of Sea World to Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s “Blackfish” which tells the story of Tilikum, a killer whale in captivity at the theme park that killed its...
- 4/10/2017
- by Rasha Ali
- The Wrap
Munchkin is dedicated to helping babies have the best start in life — and now the brand is working to give SeaWorld’s orcas a fresh start, too.
The company’s CEO Steve Dunn has pledged $1 million toward the building of a seaside sanctuary for the killer whales currently kept in SeaWorld’s parks. Since whales living in captivity aren’t capable of surviving in the wild, these sanctuaries would provide a home that resembles the orcas’ natural habitat, where the animals would be given expansive spaces to swim, the chance to interact with other whales and freedom from being forced to perform.
The company’s CEO Steve Dunn has pledged $1 million toward the building of a seaside sanctuary for the killer whales currently kept in SeaWorld’s parks. Since whales living in captivity aren’t capable of surviving in the wild, these sanctuaries would provide a home that resembles the orcas’ natural habitat, where the animals would be given expansive spaces to swim, the chance to interact with other whales and freedom from being forced to perform.
- 3/30/2017
- by Kelli Bender
- PEOPLE.com
Catherine Pearson Feb 22, 2017
Documentary fans are well served by these 11 great documentary series and features, currently available on Netflix UK...
In recent years, even months, Netflix has upped its game. No longer just a site to instantly stream an old title you might have once picked up in Blockbuster, it's become a hub of quality new and original film and television and this is by no means limited to its vast selection of fiction.
See related The world of the Peaky Blinders
With the scope of possibility in visual effects and the boundlessness of imagination there are very few places we cannot explore in fiction nowadays… that is unless we explore stories that are stranger than fiction. There is a tangible thirst for the real; the overwhelming response to recent Netflix documentary Making A Murderer in the news and social media, as just one example, exposes the desire for and...
Documentary fans are well served by these 11 great documentary series and features, currently available on Netflix UK...
In recent years, even months, Netflix has upped its game. No longer just a site to instantly stream an old title you might have once picked up in Blockbuster, it's become a hub of quality new and original film and television and this is by no means limited to its vast selection of fiction.
See related The world of the Peaky Blinders
With the scope of possibility in visual effects and the boundlessness of imagination there are very few places we cannot explore in fiction nowadays… that is unless we explore stories that are stranger than fiction. There is a tangible thirst for the real; the overwhelming response to recent Netflix documentary Making A Murderer in the news and social media, as just one example, exposes the desire for and...
- 2/19/2017
- Den of Geek
The SeaWorld whale that inspired the controversial documentary Blackfish died from bacterial pneumonia, it was revealed on Friday.
SeaWorld spokeswoman Aimée Jeansonne Becka announced the cause of death in an email to the Associated Press.
Tilikum was receiving treatment for a persistent bacterial infection when he died in captivity last month. He was about 36 years old.
In March 2016, it was announced that the infamous whale had fallen ill, suffering from a bacterial infection in his lungs that was resistant to treatment.
The whale was the subject of controversy when he killed trainer Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld’s Orlando park in...
SeaWorld spokeswoman Aimée Jeansonne Becka announced the cause of death in an email to the Associated Press.
Tilikum was receiving treatment for a persistent bacterial infection when he died in captivity last month. He was about 36 years old.
In March 2016, it was announced that the infamous whale had fallen ill, suffering from a bacterial infection in his lungs that was resistant to treatment.
The whale was the subject of controversy when he killed trainer Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld’s Orlando park in...
- 2/4/2017
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
In 2013, “Blackfish” changed the way SeaWorld was perceived around the world. Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s documentary about the mistreatment of killer whales in the theme park focuses on the circumstances that led Tilikum, an orca responsible for the death of three people over the course of more than 30 years in captivity. (One of them, trainer Dawn Brancheau, was drowned in full view of a crowd.)
Last week, SeaWorld announced that the 36-year-old whale had died of a bacterial infection, news that brought “Blackfish” and its critique of the park back to the headlines.
In the years since the film’s release, Cowperthwaite has continued to spread its message nationwide, and has kept busy as a filmmaker. She recently directed a narrative feature “Megan Leavey,” about the real-life efforts of a marine who bonds with her combat dog. However, her movie’s alarming depiction of whales struggling under the boundaries of captivity...
Last week, SeaWorld announced that the 36-year-old whale had died of a bacterial infection, news that brought “Blackfish” and its critique of the park back to the headlines.
In the years since the film’s release, Cowperthwaite has continued to spread its message nationwide, and has kept busy as a filmmaker. She recently directed a narrative feature “Megan Leavey,” about the real-life efforts of a marine who bonds with her combat dog. However, her movie’s alarming depiction of whales struggling under the boundaries of captivity...
- 1/9/2017
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Tilikum, the orca at the center of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, has died on Friday. SeaWorld Orlando announced on January 6 that the whale was suffering from serious health issues, including a persistent bacterial lung infection. The cause of death has yet to be determined after a veterinarian performs a necropsy. In March 2016, SeaWorld […]
Source: uInterview
The post Tilikum, Orca Subject Of ‘Blackfish’ Documentary, Dies appeared first on uInterview.
Source: uInterview
The post Tilikum, Orca Subject Of ‘Blackfish’ Documentary, Dies appeared first on uInterview.
- 1/8/2017
- by Aleks Simeonova
- Uinterview
While everyone's crying for Tilikum, the family of late SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau wants the world to remember he killed their daughter 7 years ago -- and the tragedy's still fresh for them. Dawn's mother, Marion LoVerde, tells TMZ she doesn't want the orca's death to overshadow Dawn's. She says, yes ... "It's sad nature took Tilikum's life, but he lived 7 more years than Dawn did, and we have to live with it." Marion admits having...
- 1/8/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
On Friday morning, Tilikum the orca whale died at the SeaWorld park in Orlando, Florida.
Long before his passing, the 36-year-old killer whale made headlines for his part in the controversial documentary Blackfish, in which his behavior was profiled — and for killing SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
These events encouraged a new era at SeaWorld, where the interest shifted from breeding whales and making them perform to focusing on the animals’ natural behavior, and also bolstered the movement to end whale captivity.
In a timeline of his brief life, it is easy to see the challenging world Tilikum lived in,...
Long before his passing, the 36-year-old killer whale made headlines for his part in the controversial documentary Blackfish, in which his behavior was profiled — and for killing SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
These events encouraged a new era at SeaWorld, where the interest shifted from breeding whales and making them perform to focusing on the animals’ natural behavior, and also bolstered the movement to end whale captivity.
In a timeline of his brief life, it is easy to see the challenging world Tilikum lived in,...
- 1/6/2017
- by kellibendertimeinc
- PEOPLE.com
Plenty of documentaries earnestly seek to create change in the world, but Blackfish arguably accomplished that goal better than most. The 2013 documentary—which, to put it extremely reductively, opened the world’s eyes to how fucked up SeaWorld is—led to an 84 percent drop in business for SeaWorld (although the company claimed the drop was due to outside factors), and the suddenly controversial chain of marine parks halted its orca breeding program last year. Now Tilikum, the killer whale profiled in the documentary who killed SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010 and was linked to two other human deaths over the course of his 25 years in captivity, has died.
The news was announced on the SeaWorld website, which said, “Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care.” He was estimated to be about ...
The news was announced on the SeaWorld website, which said, “Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care.” He was estimated to be about ...
- 1/6/2017
- by Katie Rife
- avclub.com
Tilikum Photo: Milan Boers
Tilikum, the killer whale who became central to international debate over cetacean captivity after his appearance in documentary Blackfish, died this morning at his home in SeaWorld, San Diego. He was believed to be around 36 years old and he had been suffering from lung problems.
Originally captured near Iceland, Tilikum was badly bullied by other whales in captivity and went on to be involved in the deaths of three people. He suffered from health problems on several occasions, and from the collapse of his dorsal fin, a problem only seen in captive whales. Wild orcas usually live into their fifties and sometimes much longer. By focusing on his plight, Blackfish precipitated an outcry over the keeping of orcas in captivity.
One of few orcas to reproduce in captivity - albeit artificially - Tilikum is survived by 10 of his 21 children, and two grandchildren.
Dogwoof, which distributed Blackfish,...
Tilikum, the killer whale who became central to international debate over cetacean captivity after his appearance in documentary Blackfish, died this morning at his home in SeaWorld, San Diego. He was believed to be around 36 years old and he had been suffering from lung problems.
Originally captured near Iceland, Tilikum was badly bullied by other whales in captivity and went on to be involved in the deaths of three people. He suffered from health problems on several occasions, and from the collapse of his dorsal fin, a problem only seen in captive whales. Wild orcas usually live into their fifties and sometimes much longer. By focusing on his plight, Blackfish precipitated an outcry over the keeping of orcas in captivity.
One of few orcas to reproduce in captivity - albeit artificially - Tilikum is survived by 10 of his 21 children, and two grandchildren.
Dogwoof, which distributed Blackfish,...
- 1/6/2017
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
TMZ reports that Tilikum the orca whale, the embattled SeaWorld resident and subject of Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s revealing (and often heartbreaking) documentary “Blackfish,” passed away earlier today. While it’s “unclear what killed him…he had been treated for a nagging bacterial infection.” He was approximately 36 years old.
In an official comment (provided by the New York Daily News), SeaWorld President & CEO Joel Manby said, “Tilikum had, and will continue to have, a special place in the hearts of the SeaWorld family, as well as the millions of people all over the world that he inspired. My heart goes out to our team who cared for him like family.”
Read More: ‘Born to Be Free’ Documentary Hopes To Draw ‘Blackfish’-Level Attention To Beluga Whale Plight
Cowperthwaite’s groundbreaking documentary premiered at Sundance in 2013, where it stunned festival audiences, and was subsequently shown repeatedly on CNN, reaching millions of viewers...
In an official comment (provided by the New York Daily News), SeaWorld President & CEO Joel Manby said, “Tilikum had, and will continue to have, a special place in the hearts of the SeaWorld family, as well as the millions of people all over the world that he inspired. My heart goes out to our team who cared for him like family.”
Read More: ‘Born to Be Free’ Documentary Hopes To Draw ‘Blackfish’-Level Attention To Beluga Whale Plight
Cowperthwaite’s groundbreaking documentary premiered at Sundance in 2013, where it stunned festival audiences, and was subsequently shown repeatedly on CNN, reaching millions of viewers...
- 1/6/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Tilikum, a male orca whale, has died after 25 years at SeaWorld Orlando.
"The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away," the theme park says in a statement on their website. "Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care."
News: SeaWorld Announces an End to Orca Captivity -- But There's a Catch
The cause of death has yet to be determined, though SeaWorld's website says Tilikum, who was estimated to be 36 years old, "had faced some very serious health issues" due to his older age.
Tilikum was profiled in the documentary Blackfish, which addressed the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its possible dangers for both humans and mammals.
More: SeaWorld Expanded Killer Whale Environments After Blackfish, But Is It Enough?
In 2010, Tilikum killed trainer Dawn Brancheau when he pulled her into the pool...
"The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away," the theme park says in a statement on their website. "Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care."
News: SeaWorld Announces an End to Orca Captivity -- But There's a Catch
The cause of death has yet to be determined, though SeaWorld's website says Tilikum, who was estimated to be 36 years old, "had faced some very serious health issues" due to his older age.
Tilikum was profiled in the documentary Blackfish, which addressed the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its possible dangers for both humans and mammals.
More: SeaWorld Expanded Killer Whale Environments After Blackfish, But Is It Enough?
In 2010, Tilikum killed trainer Dawn Brancheau when he pulled her into the pool...
- 1/6/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Tilikum, the SeaWorld killer whale featured prominently in the controversial documentary “Blackfish,” died on Friday morning. SeaWorld broke the news in a statement: “Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care. “Like all older animals, Tilikum had faced some very serious health issues,” the statement continued. “While the official cause of death will not be determined until the necropsy is completed, the SeaWorld veterinarians were treating a persistent and complicated bacterial lung infection.” Also Read: SeaWorld Ends Killer Whale Breeding, Effective Immediately Tilikum was captured in the wild and was originally.
- 1/6/2017
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
Tilikum, the SeaWorld whale that inspired the controversial documentary Blackfish, has died, according to SeaWorld.
The park announced the death of the 36-year-old orca on Friday.
“The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away. Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care,” SeaWorld said in a statement.
In March of last year, it was announced that the infamous whale had fallen ill, suffering from a bacterial infection in his lungs that was resistant to treatment. It...
The park announced the death of the 36-year-old orca on Friday.
“The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away. Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care,” SeaWorld said in a statement.
In March of last year, it was announced that the infamous whale had fallen ill, suffering from a bacterial infection in his lungs that was resistant to treatment. It...
- 1/6/2017
- by kellibendertimeinc
- PEOPLE.com
Tilikum -- the orca that killed someone at SeaWorld in Orlando 7 years ago -- has died. The giant mammal died Friday. It's unclear what killed him, but he had been treated for a nagging bacterial infection. The killer whale -- which was around 36 years old -- killed a trainer back in 2010. He was a central figure in the documentary, "Blackfish," the show which created a backlash against keeping killer whales in captivity. Tilikum was also...
- 1/6/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Tilikum, the SeaWorld orca that became a household name after the "Blackfish" documentary is fighting for his life. SeaWorld officials revealed the 35-year-old whale has become lethargic and his health is deteriorating. SeaWorld says they've given Tili meds for what they believe is a bacterial infection, but his condition has not improved. The statement did not sound optimistic, saying, "Our veterinarians are focused on managing his illness in a way that makes him comfortable and creates an enriching life.
- 3/8/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
SeaWorld is being thrown a golden lifesaver that could pull it out of its PR nightmare, and overhaul their Orca shows -- and Tilikum, the park's most infamous whale is at the center of the deal. Steven Dunn -- CEO of infant and toddler toy company, Munchkin -- sent a letter to SeaWorld last month offering $1,000,000 to help fund an ocean sanctuary for the Orcas currently in captivity. According to the letter, the plan is...
- 11/13/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
facebook
twitter
google+
50 fabulous documentary films, covering hard politics through to music, money and films that never were...
Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, we’ve never had better access to documentaries. A whole new audience can discover that these real life stories are just as thrilling, entertaining, and incredible as the latest big-budget blockbuster. What’s more, they’re all true too. But with a new found glut of them comes the ever more impossible choice, what’s worth your time? Below is my pick of the 50 best modern feature length documentaries.
I’ve defined modern as being from 2000 onwards, which means some of the greatest documentaries ever made will not feature here. I’m looking at you Hoop Dreams.
50. McConkey (2013)
d. Rob Bruce, Scott Gaffney, Murray Wais, Steve Winter, David Zieff
Shane McConkey was an extreme skier and Base jumper who lived life on the edge, and very much to the full.
google+
50 fabulous documentary films, covering hard politics through to music, money and films that never were...
Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, we’ve never had better access to documentaries. A whole new audience can discover that these real life stories are just as thrilling, entertaining, and incredible as the latest big-budget blockbuster. What’s more, they’re all true too. But with a new found glut of them comes the ever more impossible choice, what’s worth your time? Below is my pick of the 50 best modern feature length documentaries.
I’ve defined modern as being from 2000 onwards, which means some of the greatest documentaries ever made will not feature here. I’m looking at you Hoop Dreams.
50. McConkey (2013)
d. Rob Bruce, Scott Gaffney, Murray Wais, Steve Winter, David Zieff
Shane McConkey was an extreme skier and Base jumper who lived life on the edge, and very much to the full.
- 11/12/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
By Anjelica Oswald
Managing Editor
After narrowing the Oscar documentary feature shortlist to five at the 87th Academy Award nominations Jan. 15, a number of notable exclusions were featured, particularly Al Hicks‘ Keep on Keepin’ On, which documents the mentorship and friendship of a jazz legend and a blind piano prodigy, and Steve James‘ Life Itself, about the life and career of famed film critic Roger Ebert. (James is no stranger to snubs and the exclusion of his 1994 film Hoop Dreams led to rule reform within the documentary category.) Both films hold 97 percent positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
Some films surprised when they didn’t even land a spot on the shortlist, such as Red Army, which examines the rise and fall of the Soviet Union’s hockey team from the perspective of its coach. That film holds a 100 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In light of these best documentary feature snubs,...
Managing Editor
After narrowing the Oscar documentary feature shortlist to five at the 87th Academy Award nominations Jan. 15, a number of notable exclusions were featured, particularly Al Hicks‘ Keep on Keepin’ On, which documents the mentorship and friendship of a jazz legend and a blind piano prodigy, and Steve James‘ Life Itself, about the life and career of famed film critic Roger Ebert. (James is no stranger to snubs and the exclusion of his 1994 film Hoop Dreams led to rule reform within the documentary category.) Both films hold 97 percent positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
Some films surprised when they didn’t even land a spot on the shortlist, such as Red Army, which examines the rise and fall of the Soviet Union’s hockey team from the perspective of its coach. That film holds a 100 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In light of these best documentary feature snubs,...
- 1/23/2015
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the world of birds, bees, baseball or backup singers, Netflix has a documentary for you. Missed "Man on Wire"? It's on there.
Here are films that changed the world, righted wrongs, pinpointed a moment in history, or simply shone a light on a previously unknown subset of society. (Availability subject to change. Films are unrated, except as noted.)
1. "20 Feet from Stardom" (2013) PG-13
This Oscar-winning doc shines a spotlight on the relatively unknown backup singers behind such superstars as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder.
2. "The Act of Killing" (2012)
The director invited killers -- men who took part in the horrific purge that left more than 500,000 dead in Indonesia in the 1960s -- to reenact their crimes on film, resulting in a bizarre look inside the mind of men capable of mass murder.
3. "The Battered Bastards of Baseball" (2014)
Two filmmakers pay homage to their grandfather,...
Here are films that changed the world, righted wrongs, pinpointed a moment in history, or simply shone a light on a previously unknown subset of society. (Availability subject to change. Films are unrated, except as noted.)
1. "20 Feet from Stardom" (2013) PG-13
This Oscar-winning doc shines a spotlight on the relatively unknown backup singers behind such superstars as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder.
2. "The Act of Killing" (2012)
The director invited killers -- men who took part in the horrific purge that left more than 500,000 dead in Indonesia in the 1960s -- to reenact their crimes on film, resulting in a bizarre look inside the mind of men capable of mass murder.
3. "The Battered Bastards of Baseball" (2014)
Two filmmakers pay homage to their grandfather,...
- 12/12/2014
- by Sharon Knolle
- Moviefone
SeaWorld will have a new home for killer whales.
There will be a new and improved SeaWorld in 2018. SeaWorld is expanding its habitats for killer whale after the controversy stemming from the 2013 documentary Blackfish.
The award-winning documentary follows performing orca Tilikum that has killed several people during his 30 years at the theme park. This caused backlash for SeaWorld as it exposes cruel treatment of Tilikum in captivity and interviews former SeaWorld trainers.
Pics: Star Who've Taken on Real-Life Roles
At the time, SeaWorld responded in a statement about the film saying it was "inaccurate and misleading."
Now with declining ticket sales and falling stock prices, SeaWorld is taking action to improve the habitats.
The new environment is called "The Blue World Project." SeaWorld is also pouring more than $10 million in new funding for killer whale research and is embarking on a multi-million dollar partnership that will focus on ocean health.
News: Edm's First...
There will be a new and improved SeaWorld in 2018. SeaWorld is expanding its habitats for killer whale after the controversy stemming from the 2013 documentary Blackfish.
The award-winning documentary follows performing orca Tilikum that has killed several people during his 30 years at the theme park. This caused backlash for SeaWorld as it exposes cruel treatment of Tilikum in captivity and interviews former SeaWorld trainers.
Pics: Star Who've Taken on Real-Life Roles
At the time, SeaWorld responded in a statement about the film saying it was "inaccurate and misleading."
Now with declining ticket sales and falling stock prices, SeaWorld is taking action to improve the habitats.
The new environment is called "The Blue World Project." SeaWorld is also pouring more than $10 million in new funding for killer whale research and is embarking on a multi-million dollar partnership that will focus on ocean health.
News: Edm's First...
- 8/18/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Taking care of her domestic duties, Jessica Biel showed up at a Los Angeles grocery store on Friday morning (June 13).
Joined by a gal pal, the “7th Heaven” hottie looked stylish in a black jacket, white top and khaki trousers as she strolled back to her car.
On Thursday (June 12) Jessica attended the annual online meeting for SeaWorld headquarters on behalf of PETA and took a stand for the rights of the orcas.
She asked, “With the release of the documentary Blackfish and PETA’s educational campaign, the public now knows about the devastating effects of keeping orcas captive and closely confined at SeaWorld. Frustrated orcas like Tilikum have worn their teeth down to the nubs by chewing on their enclosures, their dorsal fins collapse, and they die prematurely, reject their young, and harm and kill humans.”
“SeaWorld then tries to mask the orcas’ psychosis with psychotropic drugs. As the public hears about this,...
Joined by a gal pal, the “7th Heaven” hottie looked stylish in a black jacket, white top and khaki trousers as she strolled back to her car.
On Thursday (June 12) Jessica attended the annual online meeting for SeaWorld headquarters on behalf of PETA and took a stand for the rights of the orcas.
She asked, “With the release of the documentary Blackfish and PETA’s educational campaign, the public now knows about the devastating effects of keeping orcas captive and closely confined at SeaWorld. Frustrated orcas like Tilikum have worn their teeth down to the nubs by chewing on their enclosures, their dorsal fins collapse, and they die prematurely, reject their young, and harm and kill humans.”
“SeaWorld then tries to mask the orcas’ psychosis with psychotropic drugs. As the public hears about this,...
- 6/15/2014
- GossipCenter
Tip: Don’t invite Jason Biggs to SeaWorld.
The Orange is the New Black actor partnered with PETA for an anti-Sea World ad that seems to starts of as a pro-SeaWorld ad: “When I have kids, I can’t wait to take them to SeaWorld,” he starts before making a jab at the theme park. “Maybe they’ll get lucky, see one of the trainers get their legs ripped off.” Sounds like some harmless family fun to us.
Biggs is referring to attacks involving Tilikum, an orca whale who lives at Orlando’s SeaWorld. Tilikum was the focus of 2013′s Blackfish,...
The Orange is the New Black actor partnered with PETA for an anti-Sea World ad that seems to starts of as a pro-SeaWorld ad: “When I have kids, I can’t wait to take them to SeaWorld,” he starts before making a jab at the theme park. “Maybe they’ll get lucky, see one of the trainers get their legs ripped off.” Sounds like some harmless family fun to us.
Biggs is referring to attacks involving Tilikum, an orca whale who lives at Orlando’s SeaWorld. Tilikum was the focus of 2013′s Blackfish,...
- 5/19/2014
- by Ariana Bacle
- EW.com - PopWatch
Source: CNN Films If you hadn't already heard of the Oscar-nominated documentary Blackfish, chances are you've come across it the last few days. The film, which you can stream on Netflix, argues that keeping killer whales in captivity is dangerous to both the animals and trainers and specifically investigates the 2010 death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau by a 12,000-pound killer whale named Tilikum. Now a California lawmaker, inspired by the film, has proposed a law that would ban marine parks in the state from using orcas in shows. It's a big deal for SeaWorld, considering its San Diego park holds 10 of the company's 28 killer wales. Last Friday, state lawmaker Richard Bloom said he sponsored the bill because "there is no justification for the continued captive display of orcas for entertainment purposes." He continued, "These beautiful creatures are much too large and far too intelligent to be confined in small, concrete tanks for their entire lives.
- 3/10/2014
- by Annie Gabillet
- Popsugar.com
Dogwoof Closes Slew Of Deals For ‘Blackfish’ Documentary Sales outfit Dogwoof has closed a multi-territory deal with Universal Pictures International Entertainment on 2013 Sundance documentary Blackfish. The territories include Asia, Italy, Portugal, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Scandinavia and Latin America. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the film tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale who killed several people while in captivity. The controversial and popular film was shortlisted in the Oscar documentary category and has a BAFTA nomination this year. Other territories sold by Dogwoof include German- and French-speaking Europe, Spain, The Netherlands, and a multi-territory deal with Netflix. Tinie Tempah-Laura Mvula Duet Will Open BAFTA Awards For this year’s musical opening, the BAFTA Awards on February 16 will kick off with a duet by multiplatinum-selling English rapper Tinie Tempah and English soul singer Laura Mvula. The pair will sing the track “Heroes,” which appears on Tempah’s album Demonstration.
- 1/31/2014
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
London – Gabriela Cowperthwaite's BAFTA-nominated documentary Blackfish will swim to screens across Asia, Italy, Portugal, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Scandinavia and Latin America. U.K. distributor Dogwoof has inked a multi-territory sales deal with NBCUniversal for the film that tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. Photos: 2014 Oscar Snubs Blackfish was acquired by Dogwoof in 2013 following its world premiere at Sundance, while the multi-territory deal with NBCUniversal was brokered by Ana Vicente, head of theatrical for Dogwoof. Other territories already sold by Dogwoof include German- and French-speaking
read more...
read more...
- 1/30/2014
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dogwoof have closed a multi-territory sales deal with NBCUniversal for BAFTA nominated documentary Blackfish by Gabriela Cowperthwaite.
The territories include Asia, Italy, Portugal, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Scandinavia, Latin America and the agreement was brokered by Ana Vicente, head of theatrical for Dogwoof.
Blackfish was acquired by Dogwoof in 2013 following its world premiere at Sundance. Other territories sold by Dogwoof include German and French-speaking Europe, Spain, The Netherlands, and a multi-territory deal with Netflix.
“This deal is the culmination of an amazing year for Blackfish. It so rewarding to see how passionate Universal feels about Blackfish, which is what we at Dogwoof look for in the partners for the films we represent,” said Vincente.
Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. The documentary uses original footage and interviews with ex-trainers.
The territories include Asia, Italy, Portugal, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Scandinavia, Latin America and the agreement was brokered by Ana Vicente, head of theatrical for Dogwoof.
Blackfish was acquired by Dogwoof in 2013 following its world premiere at Sundance. Other territories sold by Dogwoof include German and French-speaking Europe, Spain, The Netherlands, and a multi-territory deal with Netflix.
“This deal is the culmination of an amazing year for Blackfish. It so rewarding to see how passionate Universal feels about Blackfish, which is what we at Dogwoof look for in the partners for the films we represent,” said Vincente.
Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. The documentary uses original footage and interviews with ex-trainers.
- 1/30/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
"A banner year for documentary" is what you’re likely to have read in more than a few year-end overviews in recent weeks, and not without reason: 2013 was a great year for documentaries, though also one that drew attention to the ways in which our (mis)use of that word tends to shape and shift our expectations. “Documentary,” after all, is a formalist construction, a lens that can clarify as much as contort the manner in which we view a work and its responsibility to its subject and its viewers. That was never clearer in 2013 than in the case of "Blackfish," the Oscar-shortlisted Seaworld exposé whose box office success and social media storm didn’t entirely protect it from a small but substantial backlash against its perceived formal failings. For as much as Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s tale of Tilikum the killer whale may be an engaging, alarming indictment of animal abuse,...
- 1/6/2014
- by Ronan Doyle
- Indiewire
Welcome to 2014! It’s freezing in most of the United States. It’s almost the weekend. You Need a full Netflix queue! This is one of our favorite “New to Netflix” columns to date with an even 5x5 — 5 new films that you may have missed and 5 old films that you might not have seen yet. Add all ten. Now with previews!
3 Women
“3 Women”
Netflix Description:
Seemingly meek Pinky gets a job at a nursing home and befriends the loquacious Millie. Their unusual friendship turns strangely eerie when they decide to be roommates and begin to change in surprising and unexpected ways.
Why:
Because Robert Altman. You’ve probably seen the most well-known works of one of the best directors of all time — “Nashville,” “The Player,” “Gosford Park” — but this little gem from 1977 might have slipped under your radar. Moody, atmospheric, strange, and with two of my favorite performances from Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek,...
3 Women
“3 Women”
Netflix Description:
Seemingly meek Pinky gets a job at a nursing home and befriends the loquacious Millie. Their unusual friendship turns strangely eerie when they decide to be roommates and begin to change in surprising and unexpected ways.
Why:
Because Robert Altman. You’ve probably seen the most well-known works of one of the best directors of all time — “Nashville,” “The Player,” “Gosford Park” — but this little gem from 1977 might have slipped under your radar. Moody, atmospheric, strange, and with two of my favorite performances from Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek,...
- 1/3/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
It's late-December so all you'll be hearing for the next few months will be "12 Years a Slave" this and "Gravity" that -- but there were other great movies made in 2013 too, you know. And you can stream ten of them now. Netflix, on a roll of late in terms of quality movies, offers a smorgasbord of the year's best films: "Blackfish" (dir. Gabriela Cowperthwaite) One of the year's best docs eschews a straight-up talking heads approach (though there's plenty of it) for a more cinematic style. All the while you have a sense of watching something truly essential, and what we've been missing: a real whistleblower of a doc with the potential to turn heads. And also, the horror story of killer whale Tilikum really lends itself to a good old-fashioned violent sob. (Beth Hanna's Toh! review)"Cutie and the Boxer" (dir. Zachary Heinzerling) Eccentric boxing painter Ushio Shinohara is...
- 12/27/2013
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Glenn continues his 3 part look at the 15 finalists for Best Documentary. (Here is part one if you missed it). Watch along with us!
Blackfish
Synopsis: How do you solve a problem like SeaWorld? Animal cruelty is exposed at SeaWorld theme parks and others associated with it around the globe. Particularly of interest is that of Tilikum, a 5,400kg orca responsible for multiple deaths including trainer Dawn Brancheau.
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite (City Lax: Un Urban Lacrosse Story)
Festivals: AFI Docs, Athens, Hamburg, Hot Docs, Kosovo, Melbourne, Miami, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Sitges, Sundance, True/False
Awards: Best Documentary 2nd Place (Boston Film Critics), Best Documentary (Washington DC), Best Feature (Nominee, International Documentary Association)
Box Office: $2.07mil (max. 99 screens), out now on DVD/Blu-ray/VOD
Review: From my review back in July:
Its mission is similar to that of Oscar-winning eco-doc The Cove, and would make a curious companion to Jacques Audiard’s Rust & Bone.
Blackfish
Synopsis: How do you solve a problem like SeaWorld? Animal cruelty is exposed at SeaWorld theme parks and others associated with it around the globe. Particularly of interest is that of Tilikum, a 5,400kg orca responsible for multiple deaths including trainer Dawn Brancheau.
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite (City Lax: Un Urban Lacrosse Story)
Festivals: AFI Docs, Athens, Hamburg, Hot Docs, Kosovo, Melbourne, Miami, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Sitges, Sundance, True/False
Awards: Best Documentary 2nd Place (Boston Film Critics), Best Documentary (Washington DC), Best Feature (Nominee, International Documentary Association)
Box Office: $2.07mil (max. 99 screens), out now on DVD/Blu-ray/VOD
Review: From my review back in July:
Its mission is similar to that of Oscar-winning eco-doc The Cove, and would make a curious companion to Jacques Audiard’s Rust & Bone.
- 12/19/2013
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
CNN has launched a new brand for acquired documentaries called "CNN Films Presents." The sister brand to CNN Films will air feature-length documentaries that have previously played in theaters. All CNN Films Presents documentaries will be acquired or commissioned. The new banner represents a formalization of CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker's strategy to expand the network's documentary footprint. The genre this year has performed well for CNN; the TV premiere of Blackfish, director-producer Gabriela Cowperthwaite's feature-length documentary about Sea World's Tilikum and the ethics of captive orcas, brought a much younger audience to CNN when it bowed on
read more...
read more...
- 12/17/2013
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Documentaries have come a long way in the past 20 years, especially in the last decade. Documentary film has developed into a popular and visible form of entertainment, while having a bigger effect on society, usually addressing important issues with the goal of informing the public and pushing for social change. Ten years ago, it was more difficult to name 10 “great” documentaries released in one single year. Oh, how times have changed. There are so many incredible docs released each year – most never released wide – that it is impossible to catch up with each – but we try our best here at Sound On Sight. The following is a list of recent documentaries recommended most by our staff. It was hard to choose between the many great docs released this year, but we decided to narrow it down to a list of 10, based on what received the most votes from our end-year...
- 12/17/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Willie Nelson is just one of the artists rushing to cancel gigs at SeaWorld after seeing Blackfish, the documentary about killer whales who have attacked their trainers.
Heart are an unlikely bunch of revolutionaries. But the American soft rockers' decision to cancel a concert at SeaWorld in Florida may mark a turning point in the relationship between humans and one of the most magnificent mammals of the ocean. The band this week joined Willie Nelson and Barenaked Ladies in cancelling shows at the Orlando theme park because they had watched Blackfish, a film about Tilikum, a five-tonne male orca that has been involved in the deaths of three people. This modest yet riveting documentary has made ever-bigger ripples across the pond since its premiere at Sundance earlier this year, with an audience of 20 million recently watching it on CNN. It is now on the Oscar longlist.
Tilikum's plight – enduring...
Heart are an unlikely bunch of revolutionaries. But the American soft rockers' decision to cancel a concert at SeaWorld in Florida may mark a turning point in the relationship between humans and one of the most magnificent mammals of the ocean. The band this week joined Willie Nelson and Barenaked Ladies in cancelling shows at the Orlando theme park because they had watched Blackfish, a film about Tilikum, a five-tonne male orca that has been involved in the deaths of three people. This modest yet riveting documentary has made ever-bigger ripples across the pond since its premiere at Sundance earlier this year, with an audience of 20 million recently watching it on CNN. It is now on the Oscar longlist.
Tilikum's plight – enduring...
- 12/11/2013
- by Patrick Barkham
- The Guardian - Film News
These days you can watch any movie you desire online. Yet there's still one thing the magical wonders of instant streaming haven't solved for indecisive movie-lovers: what the heck to watch! Moviefone is here to recommend the best streaming movies from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant and new digital releases from iTunes and Vudu each week in Moviefone's Digital Download.
This week's Digital Download picks range from neurotic authors and silent-film bullfighters, to man-operated robots and futuristic fighting cyborgs. Check out our suggestions below, and happy streaming!
Comedy: The Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy
If you're craving the ultimate comedy movie marathon, then you've come to the right ice cream shop (at least in Edgar Wright World). iTunes is featuring all three films from Wright's Cornetto Trilogy, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, including 2004's "Shaun of the Dead," 2007's "Hot Fuzz," and this summer's "The World's End," which isn't available on DVD until next week!
This week's Digital Download picks range from neurotic authors and silent-film bullfighters, to man-operated robots and futuristic fighting cyborgs. Check out our suggestions below, and happy streaming!
Comedy: The Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy
If you're craving the ultimate comedy movie marathon, then you've come to the right ice cream shop (at least in Edgar Wright World). iTunes is featuring all three films from Wright's Cornetto Trilogy, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, including 2004's "Shaun of the Dead," 2007's "Hot Fuzz," and this summer's "The World's End," which isn't available on DVD until next week!
- 11/16/2013
- by Erin Whitney
- Moviefone
Moviefone's Top DVD of the Week:
"Man of Steel"
What's It About? In Zack Snyder's Superman reboot, "Man of Steel," the young Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) goes on a journey to discover his origin and to better understand his super-human powers. However, when the Kryptonian military leader, General Zod (Michael Shannon), threatens the fate of earth, Clark must face his past to save his planet.
Why We're In: "Man of Steel" is full of spectacular action sequences that will quench any superhero junkie or comic book fiend's appetite. However, Snyder's film was ranked as one of Moviefone's Best Movies of 2013 (So Far) primarily because it successfully rebooted the Superman story after previous failed attempts. It may be your typical Blockbuster fare, but it's undoubtedly a thrilling ride.
Watch: A special feature from the "Man of Steel" Blu-ray (Video)
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week:
"Noseferatu"
What's It About? F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent "Nosferatu,...
"Man of Steel"
What's It About? In Zack Snyder's Superman reboot, "Man of Steel," the young Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) goes on a journey to discover his origin and to better understand his super-human powers. However, when the Kryptonian military leader, General Zod (Michael Shannon), threatens the fate of earth, Clark must face his past to save his planet.
Why We're In: "Man of Steel" is full of spectacular action sequences that will quench any superhero junkie or comic book fiend's appetite. However, Snyder's film was ranked as one of Moviefone's Best Movies of 2013 (So Far) primarily because it successfully rebooted the Superman story after previous failed attempts. It may be your typical Blockbuster fare, but it's undoubtedly a thrilling ride.
Watch: A special feature from the "Man of Steel" Blu-ray (Video)
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week:
"Noseferatu"
What's It About? F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent "Nosferatu,...
- 11/12/2013
- by Erin Whitney
- Moviefone
On Demand DVD New Releases Nov. 11-17 Superman may be the headliner for this week’s releases, but a number of smaller films are making their debuts and are worth checking out. This might be a good opportunity to catch a foreign film or a documentary, too. The Attack An Arab surgeon living in Tel Aviv discovers a dark secret about his wife in the aftermath of a suicide bombing. (Hebrew and Arabic, subtitled in English) Ali Suliman, Evgenia Didena (R, 1;42) 11/12 Same day as DVD. Blackfish Tells the story of Tilikum, a notoriously aggressive orca that killed three people while in captivity. Shocking […]
The post On Demand DVD New Releases Nov. 11-17 appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post On Demand DVD New Releases Nov. 11-17 appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 11/11/2013
- by Meredith Ennis
- ChannelGuideMag
There's no denying Blackfish is a powerful documentary. Focusing on the mistreatment of orcas by SeaWorld and other such marine mammal parks for human entertainment, the captivity of these animals is something that needs to continually be addressed as it has been for several years. The opening moments describing the capturing process is enough to enrage anyone with the slightest bit of compassion in their hearts. The horrors continue as we hear of the tight confinements and utter darkness several are kept in over night at the now-shutdown Sealand aquarium in Victoria, Canada or the description of a baby orca and its mother's cries as the two are wrongfully separated. However, these are the obvious facts of the case, it's the film's presentation of the facts that raised my eyebrows. The story of Blackfish is told by a group of former SeaWorld trainers, a story that leads to the death...
- 11/4/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
On Feb. 24, 2010, a bull orca named Tilikum brutally killed Dawn Brancheau, a 40-year-old trainer at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida.
It was the third death Tilikum played a role in and one of many deaths and injuries caused by killer whales in captivity over the years.
Those stories are told in Gabriela Cowperthwaite's documentary "Blackfish," which makes its television debut Thursday, Oct. 24, on CNN.
A Grand Jury Prize nominee at this year's Sundance Film Festival, "Blackfish" features many former SeaWorld trainers who recall their childhood dreams of working with whales and dolphins and the love and respect they developed for the animals.
"When you look into their eyes, you know somebody is home," says former trainer John Jett. This is not naive anthromorphism on his part -- an Mri of an orca's brain reveals a highly developed paralimbic system, suggesting that orcas not only are highly intelligent but also have rich emotional lives.
It was the third death Tilikum played a role in and one of many deaths and injuries caused by killer whales in captivity over the years.
Those stories are told in Gabriela Cowperthwaite's documentary "Blackfish," which makes its television debut Thursday, Oct. 24, on CNN.
A Grand Jury Prize nominee at this year's Sundance Film Festival, "Blackfish" features many former SeaWorld trainers who recall their childhood dreams of working with whales and dolphins and the love and respect they developed for the animals.
"When you look into their eyes, you know somebody is home," says former trainer John Jett. This is not naive anthromorphism on his part -- an Mri of an orca's brain reveals a highly developed paralimbic system, suggesting that orcas not only are highly intelligent but also have rich emotional lives.
- 10/24/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Gabriela Cowperthwaite's documentary "Blackfish" premiered at Sundance back in January, but she's far from finished with the topic. The film is a startling expose about the problems with keeping killer whales in captivity, told through the story of Tilikum, a bull orca who's been involved in the deaths of three people. "Blackfish" makes a methodical, damning case against Tilikum's owner SeaWorld, both in terms of how unsuitable life at these aquatic theme parks is for the animals and in terms of the danger in which trainers have been placed when interacting with unpredictable whales being made to live in unnatural environments. And Cowperthwaite says she's only scratched the surface, noting that one of the things she's been told by current and former park employees since the film came out is that virtually all of the sea lions are blind: "There is some Ph balance issue with the water...
- 10/24/2013
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
Tilikum is a captive killer whale, caught as a young orca off the Icelandic coast, and he is still languishing in some steel and concrete underwater cage. If you visit and spend money at SeaWorld, your patronage helps fund his existence. Blackfish, a CNN documentary airing October 24, exposed the dirty corporate business of SeaWorld and other lesser marine parks that exploit orca to entertain throngs. Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Blackfish documents the crimes corporations commit to monetize the lives of wild animals by caging them in captivity and training them to perform show tricks for food. It's wrong, and you cannot defend this practice after you witness the cruelty. The orca is a toothed whale and is the largest member...
- 10/23/2013
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Blackfish, purchased by CNN at Sundance, is the story of a captive performing Orca connected to the deaths of several people and premieres on Thursday at 9 Pm Et. The film traces the 39-year history of killer whales in captivity leading up to a 2010 incident in which an experienced Sea World trainer was killed by the 12,000-pound orca, Tilikum, who had previously been associated with the deaths of two other trainers. Orcas are thought to be one of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom, and the film details the consequences of holding them captive to perform for the amusement of spectators, while subjecting them, CNN said, to a “much darker existence when the show is over.” Pandora’s Promise features the rift within the environmental movement created when some environmental experts take a journey of “defection” in the debate over climate change, and now support nuclear energy; it premieres November 7 at 9 Pm Et.
- 10/21/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s latest documentary Blackfish is a stunning tale about the systematic corruption of Sea World and how their practices have led to a culture that places profit over both the safety of its employees and the humane treatment of its animals. Using the 2010 death of a Sea World trainer as its focal point, it attempts to provide evidence to prove that tragedy was not an isolated incident brought on by trainer error—but the product decades of willing negligence of the highest order. Blackfish is certainly convincing with its methods, and will have you rethinking your upcoming family vacation to your local Sea World. While its filmmaking approach is brazenly straightforward, its ability to capture this tragic saga is a reminder of horrors that can occur when humanity underestimates the capabilities of nature.
When a documentary, like Blackfish, so blatantly wears its cause on its sleeve its...
When a documentary, like Blackfish, so blatantly wears its cause on its sleeve its...
- 9/27/2013
- by Dan Clark
- Nerdly
★★★★☆ On 24 February, 2010, experienced SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by a male orca called Tilikum during a live show. Initially, the details of the incident were unclear, with early reports that the trainer had slipped and fallen into the tank - or that the whale had grabbed the 40-year-old trainer's ponytail - both later contradicted by video footage and eyewitness testimony. The tragedy served as starting point for Blackfish (2013) director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, shocked by how something so horrible could happen in a place which had a reputation for family fun and loving bonds between animals and trainers.
Sadly, Cowperthwaite's investigation led her into making a much more complex story of animal exploitation and systemic failure, which has seen SeaWorld ignore time and again the dangers associated with using captive whales and porpoises for public entertainment. Far from being a one-off freak accident, Brancheau's death was actually one in a long...
Sadly, Cowperthwaite's investigation led her into making a much more complex story of animal exploitation and systemic failure, which has seen SeaWorld ignore time and again the dangers associated with using captive whales and porpoises for public entertainment. Far from being a one-off freak accident, Brancheau's death was actually one in a long...
- 8/30/2013
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Blackfish | I'm So Excited | The Fall Of The House Of Usher | Nowhere | Time Bandits
Blackfish
There's a story circulating about how the creators of the sequel to Finding Nemo have drastically changed the film's marine park-set finale after seeing Blackfish. They're not expecting this small documentary and a Pixar blockbuster to have much of a crossover audience, rather this decision (unusually for Hollywood) seems to be prompted by conscience rather than commerce. After seeing Gabriela Cowperthwaite's film you can see why they changed their minds. Cowperthwaite was inspired to make the film after Dawn Brancheau, an experienced SeaWorld trainer, was killed while working with a whale named Tilikum. She delves into the past and charts Tilikum's traumatic life, from his capture right up to Brancheau's death, and tries to understand why, of the four deaths caused by killer whales in captivity (none have been recorded in the wild...
Blackfish
There's a story circulating about how the creators of the sequel to Finding Nemo have drastically changed the film's marine park-set finale after seeing Blackfish. They're not expecting this small documentary and a Pixar blockbuster to have much of a crossover audience, rather this decision (unusually for Hollywood) seems to be prompted by conscience rather than commerce. After seeing Gabriela Cowperthwaite's film you can see why they changed their minds. Cowperthwaite was inspired to make the film after Dawn Brancheau, an experienced SeaWorld trainer, was killed while working with a whale named Tilikum. She delves into the past and charts Tilikum's traumatic life, from his capture right up to Brancheau's death, and tries to understand why, of the four deaths caused by killer whales in captivity (none have been recorded in the wild...
- 8/24/2013
- by Phelim O'Neill
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.