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Marion Cotillard vows to never return to Sea World
Actress and environmentalist says her experience working with captive whales on the set of her new film has irrevocably changed her.
Wed, Nov 07 2012 at 2:31 PM
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Photo: Rust and Bone
Marion Cotillard is drawing rave reviews and Oscar nom talk for her role in the new foreign film "Rust and Bone," but the experience of shooting the movie with captive whales has made her resolve never to visit a marine park agaom.
The film, which tells the complicated story of two people suffering from emotional and physical tragedies, came under fire last week from animal rights activists for its use of captive killer whales. At least one group, Animal Defenders International, urged supporters to boycott the movie.
“We are dismayed that the director, Jacques Audiard, gave his approval to the incarceration of orcas by using performing animals in the film,” Jan Creamer, chief executive of ADI, told the Telegraph. “We urge the public to boycott 'Rust and Bone' and also to pledge not to visit establishments that use captive whales and dolphins for entertainment.”
When asked how she felt about working with the whales, Cotillard admitted that the experience made her uncomfortable. “I’ve always had a repulsion going in a place where animals are in captivity,” she told the paper. “I had to work through my rejection of this world, which I still feel. But I had a job.”
Back in May, she told Empire Online that one scene in particular left her shaking.
“There were two whales and the first one went kind of mad at me,” says Cotillard. “It was the only time I was really scared and freaked out, even though I knew that the glass was totally secure. The whole crew was behind me, so it wasn’t the usual show for her, and she screamed at me with her jaws wide open. I got really scared.”
As a result of her experience, Cotillard, 37, says that while she respects the trainers, she will never be able to understand the captivity of animals. “I’d rather see whales in their own environment and not in a swimming pool. I will never go back to a Sea World.”
Check out a trailer for "Rust and Bone" below.
Related story on MNN: Beluga whale imitates human voice
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For those against confinement of animals for entertainment, consider the petition for cetacean rights. http://cetaceanconservation.com.au/cetaceanrights/
"But I had a job."
There is the crux of it. She was willing to work with captive cetaceans because she was getting paid. She could have turned down the part if she "always had a repulsion going in a place where animals are in captivity", but she didn't. All because she wanted the money. Then after getting paid and after the movie is done she suddenly decides to complain.
What a load of BS.
I think she may not have known the extent of the repulsion she would feel after being close up to the animal issue. It seems she has learned a new perspective on the issue, and I commend her for her personal growth.
I find the training methods of dolphins to be disturbing more so than killer whales. The conditions of their containment remind me of the "Dancing Bears" of yesteryear. Uhn, not in a good way either.
Who cares
People with souls, Bob.