Great White Lies 2014
Distributed by Green Planet Films, PO Box 247, Corte Madera, CA 94976-0247; 415-377-5471
Produced by Skyler Thomas
Directed by Skyler Thomas
DVD, color, 50 min., close captioned
High School - General Adult
Sharks, Conservation
Date Entered: 05/06/2016
Reviewed by Barbara Butler, University of Oregon Institute of Marine BiologyThe Western Australian Government began culling the Great White Shark in 2014 even though it is a protected species. Thomas interviews researchers, surfers, activists and politicians and intersperses that with footage from a variety of locations (primarily Australia) to tell the shocking story of how shark culling was based on propaganda rather than facts.
Viewers will learn the problems associated with removing an apex predator from an ecosystem and of a misguided program. The film contains very graphic scenes of inhumane shark culling and while it delivers a valuable message it suffers from poor editing and unreadable captions. A number of good videos on sharks are available, so librarians do have a choice.
This film is appropriate for high school and college libraries. It is available via DVD or a streaming license.