Since the release of Dogwoof documentary Blackfish earlier this year, the film has inspired many people to change their ideas on marine parks. From famous celebrities speaking out on Twitter, protests outside venues where whales are held in captivity, to changes to Pixar's upcoming Finding Nemo sequel, over the last week a wave of activity has also caught the headlines as bands scheduled to perform at SeaWorld Olrlando next year have cancelled their upcoming gigs.
First came Barenaked Ladies who decided to canel their performance after a viewing of Blackfish, then Willie Nelson pulled out, although the SeaWorld press release claimed this was due to 'scheduling conflicts'. Then over the weekend Heart also revealed they were cancelling, again following a watch of Blackfish. We wait to see if more of the bands scheduled to play will follow suit.
UPDATE 11th December: band Cheap Trick have also now confirmed they have cancelled their performance.
UPDATE 12th December: Trisha Yearwood has also now pulled out of her performance
UPDATE 13th December REO Speedwagon have cancelled too
UPDATE 14th December Martina McBride cancels
UPDATE 16th December 38 Special have also cancelled after the film raised concerns for them
UPDATE 9th January Trace Adkins has also cancelled
Elsewhere Joan Jett has also written to SeaWorld asking them to stop using her songs after the singer saw the film, as has Savage Garden's Darren Hayes
Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. Along the way, director-producer Gabriela Cowperthwaite compiles shocking footage and emotional interviews to explore the creature’s extraordinary nature, the species’ cruel treatment in captivity, the lives and losses of the trainers and the pressures brought to bear by the multi-billion dollar sea-park industry. This emotionally wrenching, tautly structured story challenges us to consider our relationship to nature and reveals how little we humans have learned from these highly intelligent and enormously sentient fellow mammals.
You can order your own copy of Blackfish Blu-ray or DVD now from Amazon or the Dogwoof DVD shop. The film can also be watched via iTunes or on Dogwoof.TV for members, and for readers in the US, the film is also now out to own - order the DVD here or Blu-ray here.
For more information on the film, visit blackfishmovie.com, and follow the film on Facebook and Twitter