Leviathan (2012)

Leviathan: Directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Verena Paravel. With Brian Jannelle, Adrian Guillette, Arthur Smith, Asterias Vulgaris. A documentary shot in the North Atlantic and focused on the commercial fishing industry.

“Leviathan is a bold documentary shot with multiple small camerau0026#39;s from many strange angles. The camera dips under the water oh so often and we see how birds attack their prey. We see up close fish carcasses in containers and blood dripping from tables where the fish are being gutted on board a ship. Meanwhile the crew of the ship mumbles inaudible and sometimes come into frame. Actually there is not much said at all in this dark and claustrophobic tale of life and death at sea. What are the filmmakers trying to convey, no Idea. But what is shown is fascinating and intriqueing. Is it a horror tale showing how our mass consumption threatens all? Or just a grim look at daily life of fishermen trying to earn a pay-check? Either way the film is a enjoyable – albeit a sometimes extremely slowly paced – roller-coaster of a ride. Maybe more of an art piece than straight up documentary but thatu0026#39;s OK. If I want to watch people talk about the experience of fishing I can turn on discovery Channel.”