Chasing the Thunder

Chasing the Thunder is a riveting documentary from the year 2018 that operates in the high-stakes world of maritime conservation. It is both an exposé of the earth’s marine ecology and a thriller that combines global activism, eco-terrorism, and grueling sea battles. The film is directed by Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin and is a high-seas documentary from the series Ocean Warriors. Its narrative revolves around the relentless pursuit of the notorious poaching ship, Thunder, by two Sea Shepherd vessels, the Bob Barker and the Sam Simon.

The story of Chasing the Thunder is riveting and dramatic, setting you right amidst a high stakes chase that lasts 110 days. It is the longest pursuit of an illegal fishing vessel in history. This chase takes you from ice floes of Antarctica to the west coast of Africa as it exposes the prevalent illegal fishing practices that are endangering the sea life of the planet.

The demolished Thunder is known to be the world's most notorious illegal fishing vessel, involved in poaching rare Patagonian toothfish out of season. The determined crews of the sea Shepherd vessels run on a singular mission to halt illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean. Their determination to save the aquatic ecosystem from the destructive greed of human beings forms the centerpiece of this enthralling documentary.

The journey is treacherous, with Sea Shepherd ships following Thunder through massive ice floes, storm-tossed seas, a series of near collisions and violent clashes with the pirate vessel. The intensity of the chase is underscored by the physical and psychological toll it takes on the crew, who are driven by a deep respect for the sea and its inhabitants.

The film shows the stark reality of maritime laws and their enforcement, bringing to light the crude, cold realities of life on the sea, where jurisdiction is fluid and enforcement of laws related to illegal fishing is challenging. It also leaves the viewers contemplating the global indifference and the inadequacy of international laws and agreements that fail to protect the world's waters from illegal activities.

Chasing the Thunder takes its viewer through an emotional roller coaster where moments of tension and suspense are interspersed with beautiful yet sobering images of marine wildlife and breath-taking vistas of the open sea. The spectacular cinematography, impressive editing, and engaging soundtrack effectively enhance the overall viewing experience of the movie.

Alongside the action are deep layers of poignant observation and social commentary about the effects of commercial interests on marine ecosystems and endangered species. It makes a poignant call to realize the connection between human activities and the marine ecosystem's threat, making viewers understand the depth of the problem and feel a part of the solution.

The storytellers skillfully unfold the narrative by observing the activities of two diverse groups: the audacious crew on the vessels and the elusive poachers of Thunder. The perspective keeps alternating between the two, giving viewers an in-depth look at both sides of the conflict and weaving in the narrative's human drama and elements.

Chasing the Thunder dispels the notions of activists as unreasonable extremists by humanizing the Sea Shepherd crew, who are ready to stake everything for their mission. These are ordinary individuals, driven to extraordinary lengths by their commitment to marine conservation. It is their story - of courage, resilience, and unwavering determination to protect our oceans - that forms the heart and soul of the film.

Overall, Chasing the Thunder is a gripping and insightful documentary that is much more than just an exposé of the unlawful activities of a poaching vessel. It is about the battle of wills in the sea and presents an incredible demonstration of commitment to the preservation and protection of marine life. Its intense and dramatic narrative ensures engagement while opening our eyes to the urgent need for concerted global action to preserve our precious marine ecosystems.