Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson
| Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson | |
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Epix (USA) | |
Release date |
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Running time | 110 min |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson is a 2011 documentary film directed by Trish Dolman and produced by Kevin Eastwood.[1] It follows radical conservationist Paul Watson during anti-whaling campaigns in the Antarctic in 2009 and 2010, and recounts his history and controversial methods as an activist and media personality. It premiered May 1, 2011 at the Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival.
Synopsis
The film begins as Watson and members of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society are arriving in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary on board the RV Farley Mowat, in search of illegal whaling operations. They come upon the Japanese whaling supply vessel Oriental Bluebird and warn the crew to leave the area, but they refuse. Playing "Ride of the Valkyries" on a loudspeaker, the Farley Mowat then approaches and broadsides the Bluebird using a welded steel blade that protrudes from the hull of the boat—a demonstration of the kind of tactics Watson and the Sea Shepherds are known for.
The film then goes into an account of Watson's long and controversial history as an activist, going into depth about his role in co-founding Greenpeace, his subsequent disagreements with its other founders, and his separation from the organization to found his own Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Using interviews with key figures in the environmental movement as well as news footage from the 1970s through the 2000s, the film recounts confrontations with various hunting and fishing bodies over the past 30 years which shaped Watson's methodology as an activist.
Throughout the film Watson faces problems with the international legal system, aging boats, inexperienced crew, fundraising, and criticism from his colleagues and family.
Appearances
Eco-Pirate includes interviews with
Production
Eco-Pirate was shot over seven years[2] in the Antarctic, the Galápagos Islands, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.[1]
In an interview with
The film includes an epilogue containing footage of the 2009-10 Antarctic Expedition "Operation: Waltzing Matilda" in which the Japanese whaling vessel MV Shonan Maru 2 collided with Sea Shepherd's MY Ady Gil, destroying the latter.
The film was produced with the participation of
Release
The film had its world premiere on May 1, 2011 at the
Reviews
Katherine Monk of
Robert Bell of
However Drew Kerr of torontoscreenshots.com called the film "a well-rounded portrayal of the man", acknowledging its portrayal of Watson's "genius" and "oddball charm" while praising its use of interviews which are "highly critical" of him.[7]
Referring to her balanced approach with the film, Watson was quoted in a
The Globe and Mail praised the film as a "refreshingly rounded picture of a modern real-life action hero."[9]
Awards
Eco-Pirate was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2011
At the 2012 Leo Awards it was nominated for Best Direction in a Documentary Program or Series (Trish Dolman), Best Documentary (Trish Dolman and Kevin Eastwood, producers), Best Musical Score in a Documentary Program or Series (Michael Brook) and Best Picture Editing in a Documentary Program or Series (Brendan Woollard).[11]
References
- ^ a b c "Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson". Screen Siren Pictures Website. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ Gergesha, Nick. "Hot Docs: Eco Pirate". We Bleed Movies. Retrieved 8 February 2013.[permanent dead link]
- Point of View. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ Fernie, Lynne. "Eco Pirate: The Story Of Paul Watson". HotDocs.ca. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ Monk, Katherine. "Movie review: Eco-pirate: The Story of Paul Watson a fascinating portrait". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ Bell, Robert. "Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ Kerr, Drew. "Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson". Toronto Screen Shots. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ Dunphy, Martin (20 July 2011). "Eco-Pirate's Paul Watson is a renegade on the high seas". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Eco-Pirate receives great reviews and sold out audiences at Hot Docs". Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ "Eco-Pirate Wins "Best Documentary" at Projecting Change 2011! Capt. Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd". Care2.com. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Awards for Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson". IMDb.com. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
