Orca: Black & White Gold
An investigation into the capture and sale of orca whales from Russia's infamous 'whale jail' to aquariums worldwide.
Activists rally to free 100 orcas and belugas from Russian 'whale jail' bound to be sold to Chinese marine parks. A captivating docu-thriller with unprecedented access showing that compassion and persistence can make a difference — no matter how big the challenge is. A riveting docu-thriller exposing the illegal trade in endangered wild orcas fueled by American business practices. (Source: orcafilm.net + IMDb)
- Year
- 2023
- Hunter's role
- Cinematographer
- Director
- Sarah Nörenberg
- Type
- Feature Doc
- Runtime
- 91 minutes
- Countries
- China, Russia (Kamchatka, Moscow, Sea of Okhotsk, Vladivostok)
Collaborators
- Mark Monroe — Co-founder, Diamond Docs
- Sonya Belousova
- Sarah Nörenberg — Terra Mater Studios
- Louie Psihoyos — Executive Director, Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS)
Awards
PREMIERE: Jackson Wild Media Awards — 2023 (earliest confirmed public screening) WINS (6): • Jackson Wild Media Awards — Best Film (2023) • Blue Water Film Festival — HP Social Impact Award • 4 additional wins per IMDb (specific categories TBD) NOMINATIONS (1): • Per IMDb (category TBD) SCREENINGS: • Cannes Marché du Film — May 20, 2024 (screening + Q&A with director and OneVoice president) • Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (2024)
Festivals
Jackson Wild Media Awards (WINNER: Best Film) • Blue Water Film Festival (WINNER: HP Social Impact Award) • Cannes Marché du Film — May 20, 2024 (screening at IMAX Cineum Cannes + Q&A with Sarah Nörenberg and Muriel Arnal/OneVoice; strategically near Marineland Antibes, home to last captive orca family in Europe) • Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival 2024 • Additional festival screenings
Real-world impact
Over 100 wild-caught orcas and belugas were freed from Russia's notorious "whale jail" after global outcry documented in the film forced the Kremlin to halt their shipment to Chinese marine parks. The filmmakers are working with the Earth Island Institute — the organization that secured the release of Free Willy's Keiko — to transfer remaining captive orcas to seaside sanctuaries. In France, OneVoice successfully blocked the relocation of Europe's last captive orca family from Marineland in Antibes, a campaign directly bolstered by the film's Cannes screening just 40 minutes down the coast.