Hey, hier outen sich ja doch einige als Haifreunde, hehe
Hier noch einige Infos zum Original:
The gifted underwater photographer Rob Stewart – whose work is all over prominent wildlife magazines – spent years making this inspirational documentary. It is an achingly beautiful plea for conservation. From its early images of Stewart underwater, caressing the oceans’ most feared predators, Sharkwater makes it clear that this is not a “TEN SCARIEST SHARK ATTACKS!” special on TV. Rather, the film is a reasoned defense of sharks’ place in our ecosystem and a horrifying illustration of what is befalling them around the world.
Stewart’s argument rightly asserts that shark “attacks” are few and far between. And even when they do occur, wounds tend to be superficial. In 2005, there were only five fatal shark attacks worldwide – amazing considering how close to shorelines many tend to linger.
Sharks are the ocean’s most important predator, the top of the food chain; their presence is ecologically vital to maintaining the sea’s balance. And on this level, sharks – and humans as well – are facing environmental catastrophe. Long-line fishing is devastating populations, particularly in Latin America. Governments have passed legislation to stem this tide, but a powerful international mafia, largely based in Taiwan, has corrupted law officials all the way down the Pacific. It seems there is an endlessly growing market for shark fin – a staple of ultra-fancy weddings – throughout increasingly wealthy China.
Stewart takes us throughout this gruesome situation with undisguised disgust. We see the “secret” fin docks and warehouses with an undercover camera, the illegal fishing boats hauling up miles of line – and police trying to arrest the filmmakers for documenting it all. Stewart also hooks up with Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to try and patrol long-line fishermen. Their efforts culminate in a thrilling interception and chase that ends with the culprits charged with attempted murder in a Costa Rican court.
But Stewart’s strongest and most passionate arguments in defense of sharks comes in his cinematography. Sumptuous high-definition digital images float through our consciousness of the creatures at rest, at play and during the hunt. Why would we want to destroy something so beautiful and perfect?
- Noah Cowan
