Captivity Of Orcas In Blackfish
Several species are threatened and are severely impacted by the increasing manifestations of captivity, one among these numerous endangered marine mammals are Killer whales also referred to as Orcas. A documentary titled Blackfish displays the effects of a captured killer Tilikum and the impact of captivity towards humans. The film was released on the 19th of July 2013, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The Film Black Fish is a documentary about a captive orca referred to as Tilikum and how the film displays the cruelty of how human’s actions impact the lives of Orcas as well as the story of Sea land trainer and victim, Dawn Branchaue. Throughout the Film the director has used particular position to influence the audience to accept the values, beliefs and assumptions of the film as it portrays the issue of how humans impact the many aggressive behaviours of Orcas and additionally the influence of captivity that affects the species.
The Director has displayed numerous special features to influence the audience that captivity can critical affect and impact humans and animals. Captivity impacts the health conditions for mammals such as orcas as they can develop some health issues and complications through stress, infections and violence from other Orcas. A feature article from BBC earth states “A wide variety of extraordinary behaviours and frequently die at an early age from infections and different health conditions and situations that are unusual in a natural setting.” The director has shown many issues with captivity throughout the film, especially with the conditions of the whales. Many scenes in the film show other orcas harming, hurting and even killing other orcas and unfortunately trainers. The director has positions and put together many documented videos and evidence of unfortunate incidents of violence from orcas that has impacted the lives of other whales and humans influencing the audience the effects of captivating and mistreating orcas could fatally effect a life.
Aggressions is common for captive orcas as there typically caused from there behavioural instincts since the captive orcas are taken away from their families and kept in confined pools of water where they unable travel far distances and are forced to live in spacious chambers. During the Film the director displayed two different sides of the story of the captive killer whale. During the beginning of the documentary it shows Tilikum as a whale who was taken away from his family and transported to an entertainment facility, Throughout this time of the film, the director uses special techniques such as camera angles, music and tone to make the audience feel empathetic towards the whale. However, during the second half of the documentary the tone changes as the director manipulates the audience to feel threatened and aware of the dangers of captive Orcas and the aggressive affects that are caused.
Orcas are highly intelligent, wide-ranging and socially complex marine mammals that thrive upon each other to survive using communicative sounds which they communicate with their family. The Captive orca named Tilikum was known to have killed two trainers during his time at Sealand however this was thought to be caused by its natural aggression and abnormal behaviour. During the documentary, the director shows how Tilikum was captured and taken away from his family at a young age and was transported and caged to become an entertainment purpose. The director has shown this issue through the many of the dramatic scenes of authentic archival footage and photographs during the film showing the men capturing Tilikum in front of his powerless and incapable family. The director has portrayed the audience to feel and believe that this act negligence Is inhumane and sadistic as it depicts how Orcas will experience and endure on harmful effects of captivity especially being held captive in artificial concrete tanks within which they can't thrive nor communicate with one another of their species.
Conclusion
The Director has displayed several special features to influence the audience that captivity will critically have an effect on and impact humans and animals. Throughout the film the director has used documented evidence, camera angles and archival footage to influence issue of the impacts of captive Orcas have an effect to themselves and humans and to express the inhuman actions humans have mistreated Orcas.
