SYNOPSIS

This is the story of notorious performing “killer whale” Tilikum, who – unlike any orca in the wild – has taken the lives of several people while in captivity. So what went wrong? Shocking footage and riveting interviews with trainers and experts manifest the orca’s extraordinary nature, the species’ cruel treatment in captivity over the last four decades and the growing disillusionment of workers who were misled and endangered by the highly profitable sea-park industry. This emotionally wrenching, tautly structured story challenges us to consider our relationship to nature and reveals how little we humans truly know about these highly intelligent, and surprisingly sentient, fellow mammals that we only think we can control.

Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Gabriela Cowperthwaite is a documentary filmmaker who for more than 12 years has directed, produced and written documentary programs for television networks including ESPN, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery and History.

Cowperthwaite, who is Los Angeles based, is currently directing a campaign for Supply and Demand, a commercial directing agency based in New York and Los Angeles.

INFOBOX FILM

Blackfish

• United States
• 2013
• English - Spanish
• 83'
• color

Director

Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Production Company

Manny O Productions

Production

Manuel V. Oteyza

Screenplay

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Eli Despres

Cinematography

Jonathan Ingalls, Christopher Towey

Editing

Eli Despres

Music

Jeff Beal

Cast

Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg, John Hargrove, John Jett, Carol Ray, Jeffrey Ventre