Thanks to decades of bloody B movies, sharks have a gruesomely bad rap. While most people think of them as the “demons of the deep,†sharks have actually been put at great risk in many parts of the world by the only predator more deadly: man. Because of the increasing demand for shark fins, a delicacy in Asia and the source of shark cartilage (wrongly perceived to be a cancer cure), sharks have been slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands in the past several years.
One brave young filmmaker named Rob Stewart took to the waters to document their beauty and to stop the shark hunters, placing his own life at risk. The film is shot in hi-def and the photography is truly breathtaking.
Last year, the film won the grand prize at the Toronto Film Festival for good reason. You can check out the trailer below and buy the film on the Sharkwater website.
For a recap on the long and bloody history of Hollywood shark movies, check out my post on awesomely shocking shark movies.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Activist Shark Documentaries
- Creating compelling documentaries that raise awareness about the endangerment of sharks and the destructive practices of shark hunting.
- Shark Conservation
- Promoting efforts to protect and conserve shark populations through educational initiatives, legislation, and sustainable fishing practices.
- Perception Shift
- Changing public perception of sharks from dangerous predators to valuable marine creatures in need of protection and respect.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Film Production
- Producing engaging and impactful documentaries that shed light on environmental issues and promote conservation efforts.
- Eco-tourism
- Developing sustainable and responsible shark tourism activities that generate revenue while promoting conservation and education.
- Seafood Industry
- Encouraging the seafood industry to adopt sustainable fishing practices and discourage the consumption of shark products.
