HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY FF INTERVIEW: Nathalie Bibeau talks about her film, THE WALRUS AND THE WHISTLEBLOWER

Nathalie Bibeau’s THE WALRUS AND THE WHISTLEBLOWER is a film that we have seen variations on for some time now: Trusted insider at a big company exits due to ethical and/or moral issues and David vs Goliath struggle ensues, enlightening us to the truth of what’s going on behind closed doors. In this case, a celebrated trainer at Canada’s Niagara Falls Marineland takes on what was a beloved family institution and destination because of their mistreatment of their animals, and directly because he wants to save his beloved walrus, Smooshi.

Now, maybe you are an animal lover, and therefore an obvious target for the story of one man on a years long dedicated mission to save the walrus he raised from a pup. Maybe you get into the little guy working to bring down a corporate goliath against all odds. If you are either, then this film, at some point will hit a sweet spot for you. However, Bibeau has accomplished something else remarkable with her film: she has managed to retain the humanity of all concerned – even our defacto villain of the story. The result ultimately makes the whole thing that much more devastating. These are people that sincerely care, are most definitely flawed, and sincerely feel hurt and betrayed. And at the mercy of these people circling and fighting each other is a walrus as well as whales, dolphins, and other animals actually losing their lives while legal battles happen and legislatures dither.

In the interview, Bibeau and I talk about Phil Demers, the former trainer of Smooshi, and her working relationship with him as the “star” of her film and how she set the boundaries with him. We also discuss her approach to the project in terms of strategy to follow a developing story without an obvious end, thoughts on open endings in documentaries, Finally, we zero in on a couple moments that she loved.