Madrid, Spain: As a compelling new documentary film is released across Europe, eye-witness accounts of former SeaWorld dolphin trainer expose the hidden truths behind the billion dollar captive dolphin industry.
 
Blackfish, the acclaimed documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, tells the harrowing story of Tilikum, a male orca involved in the death of three people while in captivity at SeaWorld. The film includes shocking scenes, devastating testimonies and reveals the impact on captive dolphins, including orca, of unnatural confinement and exploitation.
 
It also highlights the risks that dolphin trainers are subjected to and the apparent lengths that captive facilities will go to ensure that the only news coming out of captive marine facilities is good news.
 
The Born Free Foundation, in collaboration with film distributors, Dogwoof, FilmFreaks and Karma Films, is proud to bring Blackfish, to Europe. A film tour of 8 European cities in 7 countries in 20 days will be accompanied by former SeaWorld trainer, Samantha Berg, who will offer her own personal insights and respond to growing public concerns about what many regard as a totally unacceptable situation.
 
Starting on the 23rd October in Madrid, Premier showings of Blackfish, personally supported by Sam Berg, will include Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, countries which host 20 of the 34 captive dolphin facilities operating in 15 Member States of the European Union. Between them, these ‘water circuses’ hold and display more than 300 whales and dolphins to members of the public and visiting tourists.
 
Samantha Berg, the former SeaWorld trainer, explains: “Blackfish expertly demonstrates that orca (killer whales – the largest dolphins) are extraordinarily intelligent, complex social beings. I’m coming to Europe to share my personal story of participating in the captive marine mammal industry and my subsequent change of heart to help people realize that the exploitation of whales and dolphins for human entertainment and profit needs to end.”
 
“The evidence is overwhelming and it is clear to me that captivity causes the animals’ involved significant stress and suffering, resulting in physical and psychological disorders and early mortality,” confirms Daniel Turner, spokesperson for Born Free. “The keeping of whales and dolphins in bare, concrete tanks where they are made to perform circus-style tricks for entertainment is cruel. The Born Free Foundation, and our partners in ENDCAP, continues to work for a dolphinaria-free Europe.”
 
Screenings of Blackfish with special guest Sam Berg will take place in:
 
Madrid – 23rd October (Premier) – Circulo at 21:30h (http://www.circulobellasartes.com/)
Luxembourg – 25th October (Premier) – CineAriston at 20:00h
Belgium, Leuven – 27th October (Premier) – Cinema Zed at 20:00h
Belgium, Brussels – 29th October – Vendôme at 19:25h
Netherlands, Amsterdam – 4th November – Cinema Het Ketelhuis at 20:00h
Germany, Munich – 7th November – Monopol – Kino at 19:00h (http://monopol-kino.de/)
Italy, Milan – 8th November (Premier) – Apollo cinema at 21:30h
UK, Dorking – 11th November – The Green Room Theatre, Dorking, Surrey
 
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