OCFF 2021 - Entangled

The 5th annual Ocean City Film Festival (OCFF) has a collection of short films and features, numbering about 80 titles total. The short films are bundled into various categories. One of those categories is Environmental & Aquatic Films. Any title here either takes place on or near the water or it's about the conservation of the seas or marine life. Two films in that category are specifically about saving the lives of whales. One in particular is Innoceana's Entangled in Costa Rica, which is about a team in Central America that rescues the large mammals from fishing nets and fishing ropes. If one sees that Innoceana film and is intrigued, then this film by David Abel and Andy Laub will also intrigue.

Instead of Central America, Abel and Laub center their film off the coast of Massachusetts. However, their cameras do venture further north into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. From Cape Cod to Canada, it's about documenting efforts to keep whales, specifically right whales, from going extinct. They're already an endangered species with about 400 alive. There's a prediction that the animals will completely disappear in two decades if nothing is done. Obviously, there are climate change issues contributing to the problem that's worth a broader conversation, but this film focuses on what seems to be a major cause of death for the whales.

It was recently reported on WBOC that a humpback whale named Pivot was found dead on the shore of Assateague Island in Maryland. DNR hasn't identified the cause of the whale's death, but, in this film, there is a cause of death that is identified. Whales are disproportionately killed due to getting caught in fishing nets and fishing lines. The ropes from the fishermen gravely choke or cut the whales. Whales are also killed due to being hit by speeding fishing boats. Given that the majority of the fishermen in Massachusetts are part of the lobster industry, the government is attempting to regulate that industry. That industry pushes back and complains about the effect that it has on their bottom line. Abel and Laub's film gives us both sides of that debate.

We hear from environmentalists who are concerned about the extinction of these animals. We also hear from fishermen who are concerned that they are not going to sustain their livelihood, pay their bills and keep their businesses open. It seems like there's a standoff and no solution, but the film does explore compromises and even hope that answers can be found.

Entangled.
Running Time: 75 minutes.
Monday, March 8 at 8 PM, followed by Q &A.
Access the film and Q&A here.
Access the film only here.

For more information, go to http://www.ocmdfilmfestival.com/.
Access the virtual festival through Eventive here.