Der Killerwal (2013)
14KDer Killerwal: Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. With Tilikum, John Hargrove, Samantha Berg, Mark Simmons. A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.
“Like many I guess, Iu0026#39;ve seen and considered myself entertained by the sea creatures at Sea World. I was aware of the death of one of the trainers at one of these shows from some years ago but put it down to being an occupational hazard, a tragic but accidental death. This well-made, provocative documentary takes that sad story as its starting point and digs deeper, painting up a tawdry tale of greed, deception and apparent wilful abandonment of care by the named entertainment company, which significantly declined to comment on any of the major accusations lodged here.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFrom the horrible death of the female trainer in 2010, caught on video, but mercifully cut before she is actually killed, the production traces back the story of the only too well named killer whale and its history of previous attacks on other trainers, caused, allegedly by years of mistreatment of the animal. Sea Worldu0026#39;s part in a similar European tragedy involving the death of a Spanish trainer only adds to the charge sheet.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA host of former trainers now recanting their previously parroted company-speak of how well the animals are treated is a particularly effective device, but thereu0026#39;s much good detective work besides. Most of all, the film isnu0026#39;t afraid to point the finger at the multimillion dollar corporation Sea World and while I hesitate to come to a judgement without the accused exercising the right of reply, itu0026#39;s hard not to conclude that this was an accident, if thatu0026#39;s the correct word, waiting to happen.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film is happy to confine its aim to Sea World alone, but Iu0026#39;m sure Iu0026#39;m not alone in reconsidering my position on the capture and training of animals for our entertainment not only in water parks, but also of course in circuses and zoos.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA sad, sobering, look into an unacceptable mode of entertainment which has surely had its day.”
