Sharkwater Extinction

Sharkwater Extinction is a thrilling, thought-provoking, and poignant documentary released in 2018 by director Rob Stewart. The film is an epic journey that uncovers the scandalous and dangerous practices in the shark-product industry that are leading to the extinction of sharks. Stewart, Aldworth, and Allen not only star in this documentary but also play a very active role both behind the scenes and in the forefront, working tirelessly to capture the dire situation for these ocean predators.

Rob Stewart, a reputable adventurer, and an award-winning filmmaker had previously made headlines by bringing a startling reality to the screen through his documentary Sharkwater (2006). Picking up from where he left off with Sharkwater, Stewart, in Sharkwater Extinction, embarks on an adventurous yet horrifying journey through the murky and perilous underworld of the pirate fishing trade. He exposes cruel and inhuman practices, revealing how millions of sharks are killed every year under the guise of the shark fin soup industry or for more trivial reasons like cosmetics or pet food.

Rebecca Aldworth and Will Allen, who accompany Stewart, contribute instrumentally to the cause. Both emerge as powerful figures in their own right, offering an empathetic view of their love for marine life as well as amplifying the film’s central call for change.

Much of the film takes place underwater, bringing the audience face-to-face with the sharks. Despite the peril, Stewart and his crew remain admirably, recklessly fearless, regularly diving without cages into shark-infested waters to illustrate their beauty and remove the stigma around them. Through some breathtaking cinematography, Stewart manages to chronicle the serene grace of these giant creatures and the tragic reality of their sheer decline in numbers. There’s a real sense of passion and drive to change perceptions which is emotive and catches due attention.

One cannot review Sharkwater Extinction without mentioning the untimely and tragic death of the director, Rob Stewart, during one of his dives while filming the movie. The film ends up being an unwitting eulogy to this daring filmmaker, who willingly plunged into treacherous depths to expose this underreported environmental concern.

The soundtrack plays an integral part in the film, enhancing much of the storytelling, and transitioning smoothly between sequences of majesty, adventure, danger, and tragedy. Overall, the film has polished and professional production qualities, which make the shocking subject matter even more potent.

Sharkwater Extinction makes a compelling argument about the significance of sharks in the ecosystem, reminding the audience that their extinction would unsettle the ocean's balance with alarming consequences for all life on Earth. However, while Stewart does an excellent job exposing the horrific human toll on sharks, he doesn’t stop there. Instead, he motivates the audience, inspiring and giving them a route to make a difference.

The film also provides an immediate and informative take on the global economic forces driving shark extinction. It serves as an exposé of government inaction and even complicity, corporate greed, and the indifferent consumption patterns that have led to the current precarious state of the shark population.

The documentary’s scope is impressive, with filming shoots ranged across four continents and showcasing different species of sharks. This global viewpoint reinforces the seriousness of the problem, but never does Stewart ignore the sense of hope and change that can be achieved if these atrocities get the attention they deserve.

In conclusion, Sharkwater Extinction is an urgent and brave documentary that investigates the corruption behind the mass killing of sharks - a serious threat to our planet’s environmental balance. More than just a well-crafted documentary, it is a testament to director Rob Stewart's integrity, dedication, and bravery. His commitment to protect the very creatures the world has been taught to fear is not only enlightening and inspiring, but also a challenge to our collective conscience, asking us all to play our part in saving these magnificent creatures from the brink of extinction. With its strong visuals, punchy narration, and power-packed soundtrack, it takes viewers on an unforgettable tour of humanity's devastating impact on the ocean's apex predators.