Rescue mission in killing fields
SEA OF SHADOWS: THE BATTLE TO SAVE VAQUITA WHALE
Be enthralled by the real-life eco war against the Chinese Mafia.
Described by the Los Angeles Times as a “chilling real-life criminal thriller” and a “purposeful, impressive work”, the Sundance award-winning Sea of Shadows makes its debut in SA at 9pm on December 6 when it premieres, commercial free, on National Geographic (DStv 181). It will air globally in 172 countries and 43 languages.
From director Richard Ladkani and Terra Mater Factual Studios in association with Malaika Pictures and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way, the film focuses on a looming disaster in one of the most spectacular environments on earth with the intensity of a Hollywood thriller, as a rescue mission unlike any other comes together to combat the extinction of a species.
In the Sea of Cortez, a war is being waged by Mexican drug cartels and Chinese traffickers.
A native species of fish, the totoaba, is being poached at an alarming rate because of a belief among some in China that their bladders – which cost more per ounce than gold – possess miraculous healing powers.
Nicknamed the “cocaine of the sea”, these extremely rare fish have triggered a multimillion-dollar black market that threatens not only their existence, but virtually all marine life in the region, including the endangered whale known as the vaquita.
Set on the troubled streets of the fishing town of San Felipe and the deceptively placid waters off the Baja Peninsula, the intense docu-thriller Sea of Shadows goes inside the fight for survival as a team of scientists, high-tech conservationists, investigative journalists and undercover agents put their lives on the line to save the vaquita and bring an international crime syndicate to justice.
The Daily Show television host and comedian Trevor Noah has been nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Comedy Album, for his Netflix stand-up special Trevor Noah: Son of Patrica.
Noah saidd on his social media page, “Today I woke up to the news that I’ve been nominated for a Grammy Award! I’m so grateful.
Jack Hutton, 21, a master drone pilot on board a Sea Shepherd patrol ship, spends his nights searching for illegal fishermen hauling deadly gillnets into fishing boats. After being spotted, the poachers ditch their illegal cargo and flee the area.
The frantic, high-speed boat chases that sometimes result in dangerous collisions, form several
“And just when I thought the feeling couldn’t get any better I saw the other names in my category and I almost cried.”
Congratulatory messages poured in from all over South Africa including the South African Goverment heart-stopping encounters.
Courageous undercover agents led by Earth League International’s cofounder Andrea Crosta investigate the illicit contraband at the centre of this escalating war.
Tracking the illicit swim bladders through the black-market chains of Mexican traffickers, they ultimately expose the true enablers of the totoaba cartel, the Chinese Mafia of Tijuana.
An international team of scientists, in conjunction with the Mexican government, launch the Vaquita CPR (conservation protection and rescue) mission, led by marine veterinarians Dr Cynthia Smith and Dr Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, designed to capture and temporarily resettle the last surviving vaquitas, to protect them from the killings fields of the Sea of Cortez.
Investigative journalist Carlos Loret de Mola works perilously to expose a Mexican drug lord who has become the “El Chapo” of totoaba poachers through his own independent investigation. His findings lead him into a world of corruption at the highest levels of the Mexican government.
Alan and his grandfather Javier Valverde belong to one of the oldest fishing families in San Felipe. They courageously resist the drug cartel’s pressure to fish for the illegal totoaba but are ultimately forced to flee the area.
twitter page saying “South Africa keeps winning! Congratulations to our own superstar Trevor Noah for his Grammy nomination. We are very proud of you. A reminder that for an African child anything is possible.”
Ladkani said: “The response to the film from audiences around the world at festivals and screenings has been amazing and I am so thrilled that it will be airing globally on National Geographic and exposing new viewers to the plight of the vaquita and the shadowy factions that are destroying all marine life in the Sea of Cortez.
“My goal as a director is to try to have a lasting impact on our world by focusing on issues that threaten our natural environment, and I hope the film shows viewers how incredibly urgent and symbolic this issue is, but also imparts a sense of hope, that this precious ecosystem can be saved from total collapse.
“Our planet is under attack, but I believe each one of us has the ability to become part of the solution.”
Since premiering at Sundance earlier this year, Sea of Shadows has been recognised by its inclusion on The Hollywood Reporter’s sixth annual “Docs to Watch” list.
In addition to its Sundance audience award, the film has been honoured with Best Theatrical Film at the Jackson Wild Media Awards, Best Documentary at the Lighthouse International Film Festival, Audience Choice Award at Cinefest Sudbury in Canada and the Minnesota Cinematic Arts Award at the Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival. – Citizen reporter
Our planet is under attack, but I believe each one of us has the ability to become part of the solution.
Richard Ladkani director
Quality Time – Jim Gaffigan Relatable – Ellen Degeneres Right Now – Aziz Ansari Sticks & Stones – Dave Chappelle
Best comedy album is geared at honouring artistic achievement in comedy. The 62nd Grammy Awards will be held on January 26 next year. – Citizen reporter