Photo: Jeff Ventre at a premiere of "Blackfish"
“Blackfish,” a documentary directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, will be in limited release in theatres across the U.S. today. The film tells the story of captive orcas, and focuses on Tilikum, the orca that attacked and killed Sea World Trainer Dawn Brancheau after a performance in 2010. The film also exposes the concealed truths about the dangers that the trainers face each day.
One of the feature cast members of “Blackfish” is Jeffrey Ventre M.D., Gamma Rho/Florida State 1985. Ventre, a former whale and dolphin trainer at SeaWorld Orlando from 1987 until 1995, was a top performer with two of the killer whales at the SeaWorld Orlando theme park, Katina and Taima. Ventre provided Theta Chi with photos that show the skill and relationship shared between trainer and orca. Click here to watch Ventre in action with Katina at SeaWorld in 1995.
“Although it was fun to perform with killer whales, the orcas didn't necessarily enjoy being held in small concrete enclosures, and they had a lot of medical problems,” said Ventre. “Some of the health problems with captivity include broken teeth, collapsed dorsal fins, deconditioning, and shortened life spans,” he added. “Two of the whales died from viral infections transmitted by mosquito bites. As I learned, it's not natural for them to be in places like Orlando, in shallow pools,” he continued.
Ventre experienced a radical change after participating in wild killer whale research in Washington State in 1996. Then, following trainer Dawn Brancheau's death in 2010, Ventre participated in interviews for CNN and CBS, and contributed to an article for Outside Magazine, “Killer in the Pool.”
When documentarian Gabriela Cowperthwaite read the Outside Magazine article, she thought that Ventre would be a good cast member for her film.
“I had a background that the film maker, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, thought was appropriate for her film,” said Ventre. “Being a medical doctor provided credibility to testimony for the film,” he added.
Ventre also feels that he was a good candidate for the film due to his passion for the topic.
“It's a topic that folks are ready to talk about,” said Ventre. “Working with killer whales and seeing them in the wild, you realize that they are self aware, grieve the loss of their young, use tools, language and culture, and are a lot more like us than we realize. This also raises the question of whether it is appropriate to confine these free-ranging creatures to small concrete enclosures, when they'd be swimming 100 miles a day in the ocean. In the wild, killer whale families stay together for life. In captivity, they are shipped around to fill pools in theme parks around the world. On average they die very young in captivity,” he said.
“Blackfish” was first released Jan. 19, 2013, at the Sundance Film Festival. Ventre was in attendance.
“Sundance was amazing,” said Ventre. “ Getting "in" to Sundance is a major accomplishment for any filmmaker, cudos to Gabriela; but while there, we learned that Magnolia Productions and CNN Films purchased US distribution rights for the film, so that was huge. I didn't really know much about the film festival circuit, but the Blackfish party started at Sundance. We (the former trainers in the film) saw it for the first time, went snowboarding, and also were around to do Q&A sessions for the public. It was well received right away,” he said.
For Ventre, there were highs and lows to the project, but overall it was a great experience for him.
“The highs have been spending time with everyone, and their partners, and especially the former trainers,” said Ventre. “I've known Carol, Dean, Samantha, and John for over 20 years. The lows are few and far between, but there have been a few mini dramas along the way,” he added.
When asked what he wanted film viewers to take away from their experience, Ventre had this to say…
“The film presents a story, without being pushy. Anyone that wants to take action is welcome to visit our website, https://sites.google.com/site/voiceoftheorcas/ for ideas.”
In addition to building his mclientuploads/JeffV.jpgedical practice, Ventre has co-authored several scientific papers. His latest paper can be viewed here.
Ventre is also planning to attend the Burning Man art festival with three Gamma Rho brothers at the end of August. He will be volunteering at one of the medical-type camps on site.
“Theta Chi is still a part of my life, and a large percentage of the folks I travel to see, regularly, are Theta Chis,” said Ventre. “One of the strengths of Theta Chi is its diversity. I felt like we had an incredible chapter at Florida State in the mid 1980s, and nationally. I was honored to be chapter President in 1986-1987. Back then, I believe we were the largest chapter in the nation. That led to national conventions and leadership conferences in Philadelphia, Denver, Atlanta, and Dallas, for me, and others,” he said. “I learned a lot of valuable life lessons and leadership principals, and those skills pay off every day. I'd say that as a physician, [my Theta Chi experience] mostly helped with being comfortable with doctor-patient interactions, and created a good "bedside manner." "It's also led to being comfortable speaking to audiences,” he added.
To view the list of "Blackfish" screenings in the U.S., click here.
View the "Blackfish" movie trailer here: