Original Film Title: The Whale’s Prophecy
Director’s Name: Julien Robichaud, Gilles Doiron
Writer’s Name: Julien Robichaud
Producer: Gilles Doiron, Marcel Gallant
Country of Origin: Canada
Country of Filming: Canada, United States
Language: English, French
Runtime: 1 hour 12 minutes
Film Description:
Julien Robichaud is 30 years old and lives in Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada. One day, on his smartphone, he comes across an impressive and tragic photo of a dead whale. The most shocking part: this photo was taken practically in his backyard!
Unable to erase the image from his mind, Julien embarks on a quest to understand what’s happening. He discovers that, the North Atlantic right whale is on the brink of extinction, with only about 400 individuals remaining (barely 100 of which are females!). A disastrous situation! Why are these majestic marine mammals dying in such large numbers near his home? What’s happening to this species? Who is responsible?
This quest leads Julien into the heart of conflicts and tensions to the point where he doesn’t know which side to take anymore! National and international environmental groups clash with the fishermen and seafood industry operators of the Atlantic provinces. Julien is pained and torn; the fishermen are his community. Fishing is a crucial part of the cultural heritage, tourism, and economy of his region. At the same time, entanglement in fishing gear stands out as one of the main causes of the deaths of these right whales.
And now, Julien comes up with a brilliant idea! The best way to understand the situation of a right whale is to become a right whale. He sets out to recreate the journey of the right whale on a sailboat to gain a better understanding of the species’ migratory route. Through his discoveries and expeditions at sea and in the air, Julien realizes that the situation is even more complex. It’s impossible to point fingers at just one person (or industry)! Maritime transportation and climate change play decisive roles and seem difficult to curb. In this sense, it’s easier to target the regional fishing industry… because does it require rethinking our way of life and our entire economic system for the sake of a few whales? In search of solutions, Julien is fueled by his generation, determined to make a change. He draws strength from the wisdom of traditions and the experiences of passionate individuals he meets, and he dedicates himself to contributing to the protection of the right whales during the 2021 migration season.
Finally, Julien comes to understand how the story of the right whales tells us something much greater and relevant to us all. It’s a narrative that reaffirms the need to find a better balance between human folly and the wealth of nature. If we are all responsible for the extinction of the right whales, what role do we play now?
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