Blackfish vs. "Why Zoos are Good"
Blackfish relies on pathos to emotionally move the audience and highlight the psychological and physical torture endured by orcas in captivity. There is nothing more convincing than the testimony of a person who used to aid in the cruelty against orcas and now speaks up against it. It’s a form of repentance and appeals to the audience’s empathy and trust. At the end of the day, a person who once worked within the crime ring knows its inner workings best—and if they choose to speak out against it, the crimes must have been so inhumane that even they found them outrageous. One instance is when the documentary shows footage of young orcas being separated from their mothers, while adult whales refuse to leave the young ones and eventually die. A former trainer describes this as “the worst sound I have ever heard” ( Blackfish ). Through heartbreaking imagery, the director prompts feelings of anger, sorrow, and helplessness. This impact is further intensified through the testimonials of the ...