Rubber Jellyfish

Rubber Jellyfish is a 2018 documentary directed by Carly Wilson, with notable appearances by Kathy Townsend and Gunter Blum. This feature-length film draws a strong focus on the pressing issue of balloon pollution and its impact on marine life, particularly sea turtles and other oceanic fauna.

Carly Wilson, the director, is also the lead narrator and main protagonist of the documentary. Throughout Rubber Jellyfish, she embarks on a global journey into the troubling reality of the unintentional, but harmful effects of balloon releases and celebrations. Her earnest drive to uncover the truth about this hidden environmental crisis is both captivating and inspiring, made even more potent by the familiarity of the subject matter – balloons, synonymous with happiness, celebration, and innocence, but with a dark side unknown to many.

The documentary begins with a familiar scene – a heartfelt moment of a balloon release during a commemorative event, a scenario repeated across the globe on many an occasion. However, Carly Wilson dives much deeper, right into the heart of the matter, exploring what happens when these helium-filled symbols of joy eventually descend, landing in our planet’s rivers, seas, and oceans. The ‘Rubber Jellyfish’ title is inspired by the deflated remains of these balloons in the ocean, eerily resembling a jellyfish and causing a threat to the marine creatures that confuse these harmful, non-digestible items for their food.

One of the prominent figures sharing screen time with Carly Wilson is Kathy Townsend, a lecturer in Animal Ecology. Kathy’s scientific insights provide a firm backbone to the claims and concerns presented in the documentary. Her expertise helps to underscore the gravity of the problem. Additionally, her extensive experience with sea turtles brings forward a palpable sense of the real danger these creatures continually face due to balloon pollution.

Gunter Blum, another key figure presented in the documentary, lends his unique perspective to further underscore the documentary’s key messages. His contributions enrich the tapestry of viewpoints the documentary aims to illustrate, rounding out the depiction of this complex and multi-faceted issue.

Throughout the well-paced 79-minute run time, Rubber Jellyfish weaves together a dense, well-researched tapestry of interviews, field research, public input, and expert opinion. Wilson employs a narrative style that is visually engaging, aided by imagery that is both delightful and heart-wrenching in equal measure: majestic drone shots of beautiful coastline views, spectacular marine wildlife, and the human activities that pose a threat to their existence.

One of the documentary’s many strengths is its communication: while scientifically grounded, it remains accessible to all viewers. The language is clear and digestible, doing justice to the seriousness of the subject matter, while the tone is passionate without slipping into excessive sentimentality. The documentary serves as an inviting platform for everyone, not just those within the scientific community, but every age and demographic, fostering a broader awareness and encouraging informed dialogues around our responsibility towards the Earth’s oceans.

Rubber Jellyfish exposes how seemingly innocent and celebratory human activities can translate into a serious environmental threat. By implication, it nudges us towards greater mindfulness and invites us to question the long-term impacts of even our smallest actions. The cinematic journey through Rubber Jellyfish is a thought-provoking experience that is as educational as it is emotionally evocative. The film is a commendable service to the preservation of our marine life, turning the spotlight onto an issue that is too often overlooked.

Overall, the Rubber Jellyfish is a powerful documentary that successfully marries visual storytelling with emotive narrative and compelling evidence. It sheds light on an important environmental issue, painting an impactful picture of the unseen consequences of our actions. It serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility we all share in preserving the world’s oceans and the diverse life they harbor.