COMPELLING RHETORICAL STRATEGIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY DOCUMENTARIES

Abstract

Throughout the years, the documentary film has been an ever-evolving form. With technological improvements for video cameras and film quality, the use of spectacular imagery in documentaries has perhaps made the traditional, narrative-based film more entertaining and even influential. I argue this is true for the three ocean advocacy films I analyze: My Octopus Teacher (2020), Mission Blue (2014), and Seaspiracy (2021). My Octopus Teacher follows the story of Craig Foster, a filmmaker and free diver, as his life is altered by a peculiar, year-long interaction with an octopus. Mission Blue revolves around the autobiography of pioneering marine biologist, Dr. Sylvia Earle, discussing lessons learned during her life and framing tragic environmental events through her eyes. Seaspiracy enables filmmaker Ali Tabrizi to guide the audience through an investigative narrative that unveils the hidden and dangerous secrets of the fishing industry. As I will demonstrate, ocean advocacy campaigns use documentaries as persuasive communication to sensitize audiences to the dangers facing marine life. Using an ecocriticism lens, I analyze how all three films employed compelling, well-supported verbal narratives, alongside vivid graphics and imagery, to invite viewers to embrace different calls to environmental action.