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Writer's pictureMhairiFenton

Watch this Space

As part of this blog; I've decided to start recording the wildlife documentaries I've watched. I watch an unbelievable amount and there are some with absolutely amazing sequences, techniques and ideas which I don't want to forget so why not create a space where I can talk them through.


The first documentary I want to talk about is Sea of Shadows, I was fortunate enough to see this documentary on a large projector before lockdown started, though a screening with the Edinburgh University Marine Conservation Society.


Sea of Shadows (2019)

Sea of Shadows follows a team of conservationists, scientists, Navy Marines and undercover agents combining their efforts to save the remaining Vaquita. Vaquita are a species of porpoise and the rarest marine mammal, with fewer than 10 remaining. They are endemic to the Gulf of Mexico where they get caught up in gillnets that are used for the poaching of the rare Totoaba’s bladder. The deadly poaching, via vast illegal nets, is carried out by the joined forces of the Mexican drug cartels and Chinese trafficking. The horror- film style is emphasised by the intensifying sound track to create a harrowing portrait of corrupt authorities and the devastating impact of humanity’s selfish nature. The combination of filming styles, ranging from blurred out interviews, dramatic real-time spy camera tapes, tranquil scenes of the Vaquita to action-filled crime chases, creates desperation and a feeling of helplessness among the entangled social tension. These enable an underlying narrative of heroic people attempting to save the species and battling to protect their oceans from the vast fishing nets.

‘With the death of the sea comes the death of people.’


With each review I'm choosing my favourite quote, that I believe sums up the essence of the film.


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