Reviewed by Cassam Looch
Features Rob Stewart, Patrick Moore, Erich Ritter,
Paul Watson, Boris Worm
Written by Rob Stewart
Cinematography by Rob Stewart
Certification UK PG | US PG
Runtime 89 minutes
Directed by Rob Stewart
With documentaries enjoying a boom, it's easy to overlook some of the quieter releases in the midst of some of the high profile films coming out. Sharkwater doesn’t come with a celebrity narration, jingoistic tirade or even a traditionally sympathetic subject matter, but what it does boast is a profound central message and a presenter from a passionate and unfazed protagonist — all of which combine to give us one of the best cinematic experiences around.
Filmed over several years we follow first-time filmmaker Rob Stewart as he lives out his lifelong obsession with sharks amid their rapidly declining numbers due to environmental and human factors. Most notably we meet Captain Paul Watson, a man who has dedicated his life to confronting the illegal fishermen who capture and kill sharks. Paul’s approach of taking direct action might be the only way of saving the species from extinction, but it also leads to danger on many fronts. The fishermen often have permission from complicit governments to continue their action, and subsequently they also have their large military protection. Although most of the bloodspilling we see takes place in south and central America, the destination for the sharks is in the far east. Shark fin is a delicacy in these countries, although it is largely tasteless and mainly used to add texture to the dishes; unfortunately, only the fins are used and as such the rest of the shark is tossed back into the sea. Running parallel to this industry is the senseless slaughter of the animal by misguided individuals claiming to be ridding the human race of a dangerous predator.
It’s a dense and emotive subject matter, but these facts work with the film rather than against it. Information is slowly dripped into the psyche rather than delivered with a hammer blow, like the way Michael Moore would do it. And rather than rely on archive news footage, Stewart uses it sparingly, instead giving us some amazing underwater footage to show why we should protect this endangered species. The film never feels like it is a crusade or biased attack on people; it is supremely based and balanced. Most surprising is how well it works as a piece of cinema — providing as much on screen as it does food for thought.
• Official Site
• Sharkwater at IMDb
