Eco-Sailing: The Storyline of Paul Watson

An eOne Films presentation, in colaboration with Telefilm Canada, the Rogers Number of Funds, of the Screen Siren Pictures production, in colaboration with Optic Nerve Films. Created by Kevin Eastwood, Trish Dolman. Directed, compiled by Trish Dolman.With: Paul Watson, Patrick Moore, Martin Sheen, Alex Cornelissen, Emily Hunter, Peter Hammarstedt, Karen Sack, Rex Weyler, Paul Spong, Allison Lance, Lani Lum-Watson, Pablo Salas, Andrew Darby, Joji Morishita, Farley Mowat, Anthony Kiedis, Pete Bethune.Divisive animal-privileges activist Paul Watson will get supportive treatment from Trish Dolman in "Eco-Sailing," although the helmer does not be put off by subjecting the man's uncomfortable sides. Outcome is a handsomely made, even exciting docu encompassing the subject's evolution from Greenpeace warrior to visit-it-alone sailing, expert at adjusting the media and wooing stars to the reason for whales, closes and whales. Dolman is definitely the polemics surrounding Watson's unconventional style, yet she's also a follower whose film is for certain to draw in enthusiasts towards the cause. Once fest exposure has run its course, smallscreen play is assured. Watson's gonzo method of environmentalism manifests itself in the much-promoted Ocean Shepherd expeditions (the topic of Animal Planet's highly effective "Whale Wars" series), when he and the crew search for whaling ships and ram all of them with their specifically rigged prow, sporting steel forecasts he calls "mom of can openers." Such tactics earn him the ire more staid animal-privileges groups for example Greenpeace, but Watson's argument is they basically protest, as they does what must be done to finish undesirable actions. Such enmity springs not only from the difference in philosophy but additionally from decades of bad bloodstream. Dolman traces a brief history of Greenpeace from the roots within the anti-Vietnam War counterculture movement from the early seventies, when Watson was among its founding people. Recklessness along with a talent for self-promotion -- Watson is certainly not otherwise a publicity hound -- brought for an acrimonious parting of the methods, still shrouded in "he stated, he stated" accusations. (There seem to be couple of female leaders either in Greenpeace or Ocean Shepherd, and definitely Watson's ways encourage acolytes a lot more than they are doing partners, because of pleasure or business.) "Eco-Sailing" follows Watson's team to Antarctica looking for Japanese whaling ships, supplying a frame for Dolman to shuttle backwards and forwards over time, referring to earlier occurrences in addition to her subject's problematic personal existence as because of so many animal-privileges activists,Watson's social associations leave a great deal to be preferred. The docu makes terrific utilization of an abundance of archival footage and photos, and also the moments of Watson and crew chasing after following the whalers are thrillingly lensed, supported through the Ocean Shepherd's m.o. of blaring Wagner's "Ride from the Valkyries" because they give chase. Old footage of closes being put is tough to look at: Though fundamental essentials images that assisted put Greenpeace into the spotlight, their inclusion here's excessively calculated to create additional support for Watson's work. Closeups of Watson typing his books are an apparent re-enactment and feel awfully cheesy.Camera (color, HD), Todd Craddock, Ian Kerr, Kristian Olsen editors, Brendan Woollard, Mike Jackson music, Michael Brook seem (Dolby Digital), Brent Calkin, Miguel Nunes. Examined at Abu Dhabi Film Festival (The World), March. 21, 2011. (Also in Hot Paperwork, Reykjavik, Mill Valley film festivals.) Running time: 110 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com