Documentary Analysis- Blackfish (2013) Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Title - Blackfish
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Year - 2013Running Time - 90'00"
The documentary focuses on the captivity of Tilikum; one of the largest Orca’s in the world, captured and kept in captivity. The film centres around the fact that Tilikum has been involved in three deaths during his lifetime, including two park trainers and one civilian. The documentary intends to critique the cultural concept of show animals and performances within the entertainment industry. It argues the idea that keeping animals in captivity has a negative impact on the their temperament, this being the primary reason for the fatalities caused by the 12,000 lbs Orca, Tilikum. I think this documentary intends to give a side to these stories that the newspapers or park spokespeople intentionally do not show; these instances are all put down to ‘trainer mistakes’ and ‘accidents’, whereas this documentary seeks to show people the real and bigger picture behind these ‘mistakes’, the real picture being that animals kept in captivity become sick and aggressive.
“Blackfish” is primarily made up of interviews, and makes heavy use of archived footage. The interviews we see in the film are with the trainers and handlers who used to work at both parks where Tilikum has performed and been housed, and also the families of the victims. The interviews mainly consist of each person's recount of events that led up to the fatalities, and the aftermath in regards to the law and the media, and the impact had on friends and families of those attacked and killed by the whale. I think the archived footage is intended to cause an emotional response within the viewer throughout the duration of the film. For example; we see a clip depicting the capture and removal of young Orcas from the ocean, and their journey to various waterparks around the world. I think this is supposed to cause feelings of shock and anger within the audience, as the voiceover describes and explains the stress-calls of the baby Orca’s and their mothers, from whom they are being brutally separated from. Another example of archived footage being used to create emotional response, is the incredibly graphic footage captured of the attacks themselves; we see the animals temperament completely change during their public performance, the exact moment that they turn on their trainers and begin to viciously attack them, causing serious injury and, in three unfortunate cases, even death. This also creates shock within the audience, because this is no re-enactment, it is real footage depicting the real deaths of real people. I think it causes the viewer to respond with two thoughts; firstly, sadness and shock for the fates of the the trainers, but also anger and frustration at what may have caused these usually harmless animals.
The visuals in this film are captured in an incredibly engaging manner, in spite of the traumatic subject matter. There are many shots of Orcas in both their natural and captive environments, footage captured which spans Tilikum’s lifetime to date (33 years), and despite it’s age, the older footage captured on VHS camcorders holds a very significant place in this documentary, well presented in a captivating manner. The director also uses various other visual materials, including photographs, newspapers headlines and various online material, which I think helps to emphasise the critique style and personal stance that the director has taken.
The film is edited in a chronological sequence as to document the events that have occurred throughout Tilikum's life from capture, to events which led up to the attacks, interviewing people who observed his changing behaviour as a result of living in captivity. I think this is a very clever technique used by director, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, as it captures your attention as soon as you see the baby Orca being torn from it's mother, and holds it as it shows you the trauma that this animal further endures while being kept in captivity, leading up to the climaxes that are each attack.
The sound within this documentary doesn't tend to draw much attention to itself, no (if any) music is used for effect, which seems it would be quite irrelevant given the shooting/editing style. Also, a lot of the sound in the archived footage (which is as much as 15 years old) is of course diegetic, therefor it is of low quality, although the director has made the choice to include this, as it contains vital information to the narrative of the film.
I think Blackfish has a huge, mainly emotional, impact on it's audience, through use of both it's visuals and subject matter. I think the employed editing technique of depicting chronologically the lifetime of Tilikum, has great effect in generating this emotional response. Also, the in-depth and heartfelt interviews with park-workers and family further engages you in the emotional theme of the film.
The film is edited in a chronological sequence as to document the events that have occurred throughout Tilikum's life from capture, to events which led up to the attacks, interviewing people who observed his changing behaviour as a result of living in captivity. I think this is a very clever technique used by director, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, as it captures your attention as soon as you see the baby Orca being torn from it's mother, and holds it as it shows you the trauma that this animal further endures while being kept in captivity, leading up to the climaxes that are each attack.
The sound within this documentary doesn't tend to draw much attention to itself, no (if any) music is used for effect, which seems it would be quite irrelevant given the shooting/editing style. Also, a lot of the sound in the archived footage (which is as much as 15 years old) is of course diegetic, therefor it is of low quality, although the director has made the choice to include this, as it contains vital information to the narrative of the film.
I think Blackfish has a huge, mainly emotional, impact on it's audience, through use of both it's visuals and subject matter. I think the employed editing technique of depicting chronologically the lifetime of Tilikum, has great effect in generating this emotional response. Also, the in-depth and heartfelt interviews with park-workers and family further engages you in the emotional theme of the film.
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