SeaWorld killer whale Tilikum is the subject of the documentary Blackfish, which will be screened for one night only in Niagara Sept. 27. The event is a fundraiser for former Marineland employees who have spoken out against the park, and been sued as a result. PHOTO: Special to The Review
The acclaimed documentary Blackfish is heading to Niagara for a one-night-only screening Sept. 27.
One of the year’s best-reviewed films is already a frontrunner for Best Documentary at next year’s Oscars. It examines the captivity of killer whale Tilikum at Orlando’s SeaWorld, and his role in the deaths of three trainers, most recently Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the film has generated huge media buzz on the already volatile issue of whales in captivity, with SeaWorld claiming the film “paints a distorted picture” about the industry. The film so affected animation giant Pixar, it changed the ending of its upcoming sequel to Finding Nemo, originally set in a marine park.
The Niagara screening takes place at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School at 7 p.m. It will be a fundraiser for the legal expenses of Marineland ‘whistle blowers’ who have spoken out against the park in the past year. Marineland has filed six lawsuits in response, including against former Marineland employees Phil Demers ($1.5 million), Christine Santos ($1.2 million) and Jim Hammond ($1.5 million), as well as local activist Mike Garrett ($1.5 million) and the Toronto Star ($7 million).
Former SeaWorld trainer Samantha Berg, who is featured in the film, will also attend the Niagara screening.
“The first time I saw Blackfish I was hit with a combination of emotions all at once,” says Berg, now an acupuncturist in Alaska. “ I felt my heart leap when I remembered how it felt the first time I ever swam with a killer whale, but I was also horrified to discover how SeaWorld went about capturing killer whales to stock their parks.
“I felt deep embarrassment and shame for never considering how the animals got to SeaWorld in the first place while I was working at the park.”
Garrett, whose run-ins with Marineland park owner John Holer can be found on YouTube, says getting the film in Niagara – even for one night – “is extremely important being that we have Marineland, a captive mammal facility within close proximity.”
He says marine parks have controlled the message through decades of TV and radio commercials, but Blackfish tells a whole different story.
“This film has the power to change people’s minds, it has impact.”
While protests continue at Marineland, they are less vocal this year after an injunction obtained against local group Marineland Animal Defense which prohibits the use of megaphones and phrases like “torture” and “abuse” on signs. In addition, the park has leased two new sections of land from the city, including a front section utilized by protesters for years.
Garrett spoke against the leases at an August council meeting, and hopes every Niagara Falls city councilor sees Blackfish.
“It is my hope Niagara area politicians will attend this screening with an open mind to learn about the other side of captivity.”
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