“Blackfish” is what Native American fisherman call orcas. A moniker far more accurate than “killer whale”. There’s not a single documented case of orcas attacking humans in the wild. In captivity, however, it’s a different story. Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s documentary is centred on Tilikum, a twelve-thousand pound stud orca responsible for three deaths, including that of Sea World trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. Sea World blamed Brancheau, claiming trainer error, but Cowperthwaite reveals a decades-long history of orca violence, all covered up by the park’s PR.
She paints a hugely emotive portrait of the orcas, shown to be intelligent and emotionally complex. This makes their horrific treatment all the more devastating. Whales are shown despondently floating in tanks barely big enough to turn in. Former whale hunters cry as they recount orca families surrounding their boats, wailing as the calves are captured. By contrast, the trainers’ belief in their “relationships” with the creatures feels sadly deluded.
“I think I convinced myself that our relationship was based on something more than the fact I gave her fish,” admits one.
The footage of numerous attacks is terrifying. The creatures are wild. What’s truly shocking are the court transcripts and news reports showing Sea World’s shameless lies and victim-blaming.
A former trainer opines that, “In fifty years, we’ll look back on this practice and think it barbaric.” It’s impossible to disagree.