Sharkwater (2006)

 

You want a documentary that is absolutely on the same level as 'Blackfish', but less people have seen because sharks are not as cuddly as killer whales? You have got it right here and it is most definitely something you should watch.

You won't be feeling too good about the world afterwards, though. But isn't that what an impactful documentary should do? Make people want to do something?

Rob Stewart starts off nicely enough. He very early on decided he wanted to become a diver, because the guy loves sharks. Can't blame him, they are pretty awesome creatures, even if the media consensus after years of films is that they're ravenous monsters that only prey on hapless humans.

Spoiler: they aren't. And even though 'Jaws' is a most excellent film, it surely didn't help the overall image that most humans have about sharks to this day. 

But as soon as you're feeling comfortable about Stewart's images of undersea wildlife and how beautiful the sharks can be, that is when this documentary changes gears drastically. See, this is in large part about the illegal activity of shark finning. You know, fishing for sharks, cutting off their fins and dropping them - still alive - back into the ocean where they die a horrible death, all because East Asian superstitions call for it. 

Oh, and it's a million dollar business, on par with cocaine. 

Stewart teams up with Sea Shepherd and they head to Costa Rica on behest of the government to help against illegal shark fishing, yet are soon fucked over by some powerful people that have their grubby little paws in the finning industry. It really is eye-opening and harrowing, as the footage of sharks being slaughtered and thousands upon thousands of fins on display is thrust upon us. 

Like I said: you won't be feeling too peachy afterwards. 

There's a little glimmer of hope on the horizon, but you know things haven't changed all that much. At least not enough yet to make a substantial change. Humanity is truly fucking over the environment in a big way and we just don't want to see it. Like someone here says: sharks aren't cute and cuddly, so too few people care. It's very true. 

This documentary is at times hard to watch, but necessary. You really need this to be shoved in the face and then some, like a good documentary can and sometimes must do. It's shot very well and will make you question a lot of things. But it will probably make you very sad that we as the human race have so little regard for anything.