While the field of documentaries seems to be thriving more than ever, there’s the rare exception when a The Thin Blue Line, Titicut Follies or Paradise Lost comes along to spur the discussion or uncover evidence and enact true change. Now Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Blackfish, which we said explored “the question of how much mistreatment a sentient being can endure before it will lash out,” premiered over 18 months ago, but its target has finally admitted its damaging effects on their business.
The documentary followed a 32 year-old Orca named Tilikum, the prized possession of Sea World and the practices associated with keeping and training these creatures in captivity. Late last year SeaWorld responded to the film, as CEO Jim Atchison said, “we can see no noticeable impact on our business,” and boldly added that “the movie in some ways has actually made perhaps more interest in marine mammal parks and actually even about us.”
They company has now finally come clean in press release to their investors after stocks dropped 33%, saying they believe “attendance in the quarter was impacted by demand pressures related to recent media attention surrounding proposed legislation in the state of California.”
The Orca Welfare Safety Act, which would ban keeping the whales in captivity, is the mentioned legislation. Introduced in the wake of Blackfish, it was recently tabled with more studies being conducted, a process that could extend well beyond a year. There’s certainly a long road to go before this battle is over, but it’s reassuring that it’s not just Pixar that has to rethink their business. [via NY Mag]
What do you think of the results? Can more be done?