Sea of Shadows (2019)
With advances in technology more and more films have been able to showcase the world and regions previously never exposed, one example of this is with the ocean. Really since the original Planet Earth more and more series and films have explored the ocean but with that newfound respect for that space also comes a new focus and concern for the issues affecting it. The seas around the Gulf of Mexico are some of the most diverse waters in the world when it comes to natural life, one fish living here is the totoaba whose swim bladder is considered to have special healing properties according to Chinese legend. Due to this fisherman from Mexico have established trade with China making millions of dollars through illegal fishing even getting the totoaba the nickname of the "Cocaine of the Sea". The nets design to trap the fish though takes a toll on the entire sea which also houses the vaquita. The vaquita is a tiny species of porpoise that is estimated to have only 15-30 animals left in the wild. This documentary focuses on the government's efforts to stop this fishing and save the vaquita.
And first I must appreciate what this movie even is, with documentaries you have plenty that focuses on telling the audience stuff and remains off the ground and explores its subject on a very basic level. Time and time again though it is proven that the best documentaries are the ones that get off the studio and on the ground which this film absolutely is. There are moments in this film that is hard to imagine having captured. This gets in the nitty-gritty of the situation, from going undercover in interviews to going out on the sea at night to stop these illegal fishermen by force, this movie gets you right in the action. Similar to the documentary Maiden that came out earlier this year the actual filmmaking is also pretty impressive considering the situations they are in. The natural cinematography that comes from some of these situations like fights on the ocean using drones or chasing a vaquita on small boats is really impressive and effective.
Yet even beyond how the documentary tells its story the story is remarkable on its own. This is not just a story about a few fishermen who puts up nets in the ocean, this is a breakdown of a huge issue with corruption, violence, and tension at every turn that sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. This movie does such a great job of showing the scale of this issue and the seriousness of it and engaging you in it despite probably not knowing anything about the issue prior to seeing the film. One element of the story that caught me completely off guard was the presence of the average citizens in the story. Most of them are fishermen who depend on fishing for survival, to take that away for an animal most have never seen in their lives (and doubt even exist due to this) makes them angry and violent. There is no easy answer here and the film doesn't try to hide that, these people and their anger are valid as plenty are completely innocent but there is no solution to make everyone happy. Past these more complex social perspectives, the movie at heart is about the vaquita and the importance of saving the environment which is a really effective side of the narritave. For all the grittiness this film has inside of it they have plenty of scenes showing the overwhelming beauty of the sea and the animals there, seeing this environment where hundreds of dolphins and manta rays will jump alongside a boat on any given day is just breathtaking and the idea of losing it is truly horrific.
Overall I really loved this documentary, where it could have been a solid film showcasing a simple issue of poaching and its effects it does so much more. It is a huge and engaging look at a problem with no good answers, no matter what happens something is going to suffer and this movie shows that. This is a perfect look at the nuanced issues behind modern-day conservation. It is intense and deep and shocking, unlike almost any other documentary out there this year. Please make it a point to check this film out when it debuts on National Geographic on November 9th cause it will rock you to your core.
Overall I really loved this documentary, where it could have been a solid film showcasing a simple issue of poaching and its effects it does so much more. It is a huge and engaging look at a problem with no good answers, no matter what happens something is going to suffer and this movie shows that. This is a perfect look at the nuanced issues behind modern-day conservation. It is intense and deep and shocking, unlike almost any other documentary out there this year. Please make it a point to check this film out when it debuts on National Geographic on November 9th cause it will rock you to your core.