Free Willy raised awareness about the anguish of orcas in captivity 20 years before Blackfish,
and PETA is grateful for Richard Donner producing the movie
||| FROM MOVIEWEB.COM |||
Richard Donner is getting a lot of praise from friends, fans, and contemporaries in the wake of his death, and PETA is also honoring the late filmmaker. Donner, who’s known for directing iconic movies like The Goonies, Superman, and Lethal Weapon, also executive produced Free Willy and its two sequels. The movie helped to raise awareness about the problems with capturing orcas and keeping them in captivity for the sake of entertainment.
Keiko, the real-life orca who “played” Willy in Free Willy, was fortunate enough to have a much better life after the movie. The success of the movie led to the orca’s rescue, and after he was successfully rehabilitated, the whale was released back into the ocean in Norway. Grateful for Donner’s efforts in helping Keiko and other orcas like him, PETA honored the filmmaker with a statement of their own. The animal rights organization stated:
“PETA will remember Richard as a brilliant director and producer whose movies drew people to view animals as someone, not something. A pioneer, long before Blackfish opened eyes and hearts, Richard revealed the anguish of captive orcas with Free Willy-and, thanks to the impact of his film, Keiko the orca was rescued from marine park prison and spent many joyful years swimming free in Norway’s coastal waters. Richard holds a special place in PETA’s heart for his activism and kindness, and we will miss him.”
Released in 1993, Free Willy was directed by Simon Wincer and written by Keith A. Walker and Corey Blechman. Richard Donner served as an executive producer with his wife Lauren Shuler Donner producing. It stars Jason James Richter as a young boy who befriends a captive orca and devises a plan to free him back into the ocean. It was a tremendous hit at the box office and spawned a franchise, and Donner would return to executive produce the sequels Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home and Free Willy 3: The Rescue.
READ FULL ARTICLE: movieweb.com/richard-donner-peta-free-willy/
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
