Latest news with #Tilikum
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans have just days left to see 'must watch' documentary that changed everything
Centred around the captivity of Tilikum, an orca that was blamed for the deaths of three humans, Blackfish speaks to the consequences of keeping these wild creatures in captivity and features footage from some of the actual attacks. 'You won't forget Cowperthwaite's documentary, and you shouldn't,' says one critic of the 2013 documentary film, Blackfish. Having premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, 2013, Blackfish was picked up by CNN Films and Magnolia Pictures for a wider release. So impactful was Gabriela Cowperthwaite's Blackfish, it was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary. Slated to leave Netflix on 1 June, viewers only have a few days left to catch this cinematically gut-wrenching offering. Centred around the captivity of Tilikum, an orca that was blamed for the deaths of three humans, Blackfish speaks to the consequences of keeping these beautiful, wild creatures in captivity. Featuring footage from some of the actual attacks, the documentary also includes coverage from 1983 — the year Tilikum was captured off the coast of Iceland. Lending an insight into the orca's purported harassment by fellow captive orcas at Sealand, Blackfish sees Cowperthwaite arguing about the contribution of these incidents to Tilikum's fatal aggression. The documentary film also features footage of Tilikum's attacks on trainers and other orcas in captivity, as well as interviews from witnesses and SeaWorld trainers. Cowperthwaite began working on the film following the death of Tilikum's trainer, Dawn Brancheau, in February 2010. The incident sparked speculation that the orca had targeted Brancheau because she wore her hair in a ponytail. Cowperthwaite contended that this was mere conjecture and believed that "there had to be more to this story." The vice president for zoological operations at SeaWorld San Diego - Michael Scarpuzzi, said Blackfish had misused Brancheau's death and its gruesome details not to 'inform the public, but, rather regrettably, because of the desire to sensationalize." He said in a statement: "We have altered how we care for, display and train these extraordinary animals. We have changed the facilities, equipment and procedures at our killer whale habitats. The care and educational presentation of these animals at SeaWorld has been made safer than ever. Does Blackfish inform its viewers of that fact? No, it does not." Critic and audience reviews for the documentary were filled with praise, as people connected to the heartbreaking subject matter of Blackfish. One critic said: 'That Blackfish led SeaWorld to phase out both orca breeding and performances speaks to how we should view the film's legacy over ten years later.' Another one called it: 'An illuminating documentary not only about the cruel conditions that killer whales endure at theme parks such as SeaWorld, but the biology and psychology of the mysterious and majestic sea wolf.' While one review said: 'There are few movies that can change the way you see the world in 83 minutes. If Blackfish is seen by enough people, it has the power to affect attendance at SeaWorld,' another said: '[It] remains decidedly one-sided. But when that "side" is such a vital, convincing proponent for the greater protection and understanding of such evolved and majestic creatures, it can't help but win.' Audiences were blown away by Cowperthwaite's film, as one detailed review said: 'While walking through the St. Louis Zoo recently, my mind kept coming back to this wonderful documentary about the controversial captivity of killer whales used in theme parks, particularly Sea World. And looking into the eyes of the animals we passed, I found my heart breaking just a little. This film has forever altered my feelings about animal confinement for human enjoyment, and that's the mark of a powerful movie. 'The story of an orca named Tilikum, who ended up killing three people, including a whale trainer, is one I will never forget. And the interviews with witnesses and experts are not only informative but often heartrending. I'm an animal lover, not necessarily an animal LOVER, but this documentary gave me a new appreciation and even respect for the creatures around us and how humans often exploit them.' Another viewer said: 'I tear up every time I watch this, so gut-wrenching but so good. It makes me angry about the world and how humans exploit animals, but it also makes me happy to see the people who truly care. This is a MUST SEE!!' One audience review of the documentary bluntly said: 'Really, really, really f*cking disturbing and disgusting. So many moments where it was borderline too hard to watch, but it had to be seen so we could get the intended message and effect.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Must-watch critically-acclaimed documentary that went viral is about to leave Netflix
Critically acclaimed documentary Blackfish is due to leave Netflix soon. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the 2013 film examines the life of performing killer whale Tilikum, who spent most of his life at SeaWorld Orlando and was involved in the deaths of three people during decades in captivity. The documentary, which multiple critics have described as a "must-see", tells his story to "underscore problems within the sea-park industry, man's relationship to nature, and how little has been learned about these highly intelligent mammals". Blackfish is currently available to stream on Netflix, but this will soon change as the film is due to leave the streaming service on 31 May – so fans will have to act quickly if they want to watch it there. The film was widely acclaimed by both audiences and critics following its release for its powerful exposé of orca captivity, earning it a near-perfect score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Related: Best streaming services Empire described it as "informative, impassioned and damningly indicting", while The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "This gripping film presents a persuasive case against keeping the species - and by extension any wild animal - in captivity for the purposes of human entertainment." "The impression the film leaves is of a deep-pocketed institution that, for all its claims of humane and professional treatment, tolerates practices that are fundamentally at odds with the animals' well-being," added Variety. In 2016, SeaWorld made the decision to end all orca shows and put an end to its breeding programme shortly after it confirmed that Tilikum was dying. Related: In January 2017, it was announced that Tilikum had sadly died at the age of 36. "The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away," a statement from SeaWorld read at the time. "Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care. "While today is a difficult day for the SeaWorld family, it's important to remember that Tilikum lived a long and enriching life while at SeaWorld and inspired millions of people to care about this amazing species." Blackfish will be available to stream on Netflix until 31 May. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy British Comedy Legends in newsagents or online now, priced at £7.99.£18.99 at at EE£328.00 at at Amazon at Audible£49.99 at at at at at at at at EE at at at at at at at Amazon at Pandora at at at at Game at EE£29.98 at at at at at Sky Mobile at at Game£123.99 at at at Three at at at at at Pandora at at at at at $15.00 at at AO at at Fitbit£49.99 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at £1299.00 at John Lewis at at at at at at John Lewis£184.00 at John Lewis & Partners at at at at at at at Amazon at at at Three£6.62 at at at Amazon at at at Amazon at at Fitbit at at John Lewis & Partners at at at £699.00 at at Apple£189.99 at at Amazon at at at at at at at Three at at at at at John Lewis at at at at EE at at at Audible at at at John Lewis at EE at at £379.00 at at at at Amazon at at at Apple at at at Samsung at Three at Apple at at Microsoft at at at at John Lewis at at crunchyroll at at AO£79.00 at Samsung£449.00 at John Lewis£79.98 at at at at Amazon at at at John Lewis & Partners£79.98 at at Microsoft£299.00 at Microsoft at at at at Amazon at at at at at at John Lewis at at John Lewis & Partners at now at at at Microsoft at at at John Lewis at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
SeaWorld Orlando faces fine after killer whale injured trainer
ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — SeaWorld Orlando is facing a hefty fine after an employee was injured by a killer whale during a training exercise in September 2024. Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) launched the investigation, saying the trainer was 'not properly protected from hazards,' labeling the type of violation as 'Serious.' VIDEO: Fire erupts at Walt Disney World's EPCOT park in Orlando The U.S. Department of Labor issued a fine of $16,550, issuing a serious citation 'for allowing employees to work in close contact with the whale, exposing them to the potential for bites, struck-by and drowning hazards.' The fine is for an incident on Sept. 24 at Medical Pool D during desensitization training with a killer whale, according to the department's citation letter provided to In a 2010 lawsuit, the 'water desensitization' technique referred to acclimating the killer whale to the trainer's presence in the pools with them, training the animals to ignore their trainers unless they're signaled 'to interact for a specific learned behavior.' If the violation is not contested, Area Director Erin Sanchez for the OSHA office suggested that a feasible means of subsiding this risk would be to use glass or plastic physical barriers or removable bars or to create distance between the whales and their trainers. The department's announcement on March 21 revealed the theme park has 15 business days from receiving the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Man sets dog on fire, causes shutdown of Courtney Campbell Causeway According to OSHA's Inspection Reports, SeaWorld Orlando has faced seven safety complaints since June 2022. One of the most notable deaths from a killer whale was in February 2010 at SeaWorld Orlando, when trainer Dawn Brancheau was drowned by Tilikum, the park's 29-year-old male orca. Three citations were issued in August 2010, fining SeaWorld $75,000. The company contested these citations. When the lawsuit was concluded in June 2011, SeaWorld paid a $12,000 fine for two violations—failing to equip two stairways with standard stair railings on each side, and for exposing animal trainers to struck-by and drowning hazards when working with killer whales during performance. To read the entirety of this lawsuit, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
