The Walrus and the Whistleblower

The Walrus and the Whistleblower is a 2020 Canadian documentary film directed by Nathalie Bibeau.[1] The film profiles Phil Demers, a former employee of Marineland who attempted to blow the whistle on allegedly inhumane treatment of animals at the institution.[2]

The Walrus and the Whistleblower
Film poster
Directed byNathalie Bibeau
Produced byNathalie Bibeau
Frederic Bohbot
Written byNathalie Bibeau
Christina Clark
StarringPhil Demers
Music byAnaïs Larocque
Raphael Reed
CinematographyChristian Bielz
Edited byVincent Guignard
Production
company
Bunbury Films
Release date
Running time
89 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

According to a film industry newsletter, the film was made "in association with the Documentary Channel, and CBC Docs".[3] The Documentary Channel's announcement about the film stated that Demers had "appeared four times on the Joe Rogan show, has testified before the Canadian Senate, and is being sued for $1.5 million for plotting to steal Smooshi, the walrus". [4]

The film premiered as part of the 2020 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.[5] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada it was not screened theatrically, but premiered as part of the festival's online streaming component[6] and aired on CBC Television on May 28 as part of the network's special Hot Docs at Home series of films from the festival.[1]

In June 2020, the film was named as the winner of 2020 Rogers Audience Award, alongside the films 9/11 Kids, There's No Place Like This Place, Anyplace, First We Eat and The Forbidden Reel, and as Overall Favourite at Hot Docs. The Audience Award allowed the film to be fast tracked in the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature category, "provided it meets all other criteria for eligibility".[7] Northern Banner, a division of Raven Banner Entertainment, subsequently announced that it had acquired the rights to distribute the film in Canada, probably starting before year end. The US and international distribution rights went to Gravitas Ventures.[8]

References
  1. John Law, "CBC premiere Thursday for documentary on Marineland, Demers conflict". St. Catharines Standard, May 24, 2020.
  2. "'Walrus and the Whistleblower' profiles 'walrus whisperer's' battle with Marineland". CBC Hamilton, June 3, 2020.
  3. "Northern Banner takes Canadian rights to "The Walrus and the Whistleblower". Real Screen. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  4. "The Walrus and the Whistleblower". Documentary Channel. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  5. Daniele Alcinii, "Twenty-three Canadian titles among Hot Docs virtual lineup". Playback, May 5, 2020.
  6. Nick Kohn, "‘The Walrus and the Whistleblower’ Review: Canada’s Answer to ‘Blackfish’". IndieWire, June 11, 2020.
  7. Mullen, Pat (July 3, 2020). "Northern Banner Picks Up Hot Docs Champ 'The Walrus and the Whistleblower'". POV Magazine. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  8. "Northern Banner takes Canadian rights to "The Walrus and the Whistleblower". Real Screen. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
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