Photo slideshow -
the breadth of emotions in blackfish
Blackfish pulls at almost every emotion in the audience's heart: love, fear, horror, anger - all are present in this psychological thriller. From the beginning, the film shows the traumatic death of Dawn Brancheau. This appeals to the audience's sense of tragedy. The situation only seems to worsen when it is shown that Dawn appeared to have a loving relationship with the whales in SeaWorld. The gruesome video of her death contrasts against happier moments in the film, such as when a video is shown of a mother whale tending to her babies. This appeals to the audience's sense of familial love. It is heartbreaking to see such familial love be destroyed by whale hunters. The hunters capture the babies; the mother is helpless, she cannot do anything. It is clear that the captivity of whales destroys loving families.
The film is good at using primary sources like phone recordings and captured video clips to appeal to emotion. Video clips are usually disturbing in nature and oftentimes when an injury is involved, there will be a close up of the gore. The background music sets the mood for the film's dark nature during videos and images.
Personal interviews also do a good job communicating feelings towards the audience. Interview subjects ranged from the "whale hunters" and "SeaWorld trainers" to those affected by the loss of their dear friends and family. By doing this, Blackfish shows recognition of the audience's family values and beliefs.
Image Credits: Blackfish, directed by Gabriel Cowperthwaite
The film is good at using primary sources like phone recordings and captured video clips to appeal to emotion. Video clips are usually disturbing in nature and oftentimes when an injury is involved, there will be a close up of the gore. The background music sets the mood for the film's dark nature during videos and images.
Personal interviews also do a good job communicating feelings towards the audience. Interview subjects ranged from the "whale hunters" and "SeaWorld trainers" to those affected by the loss of their dear friends and family. By doing this, Blackfish shows recognition of the audience's family values and beliefs.
Image Credits: Blackfish, directed by Gabriel Cowperthwaite