A film we and many others have been looking forward to is finally landing on the silver screen—just in time for World Whale Day (Feb. 20)!
Last of the Right Whales follows a disparate group of people— a wildlife photographer, a marine biologist, a whale rescuer, and a crab fisher—united in their cause to save the critically-endangered North Atlantic right whale.
The film premieres in theaters across Canada, including Cineplex Cinemas locations in Saint John, Moncton and Miramichi, this weekend. (You can find show times listings for these theatres below).
The latest population estimate for the right whale whale is 336—the lowest in almost two decades.
Warming oceans caused by climate change has affected the whales’ feeding patterns, forcing them to journey through waters they typically were not seen in high numbers, such as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This led to a record-breaking 12 right whales killed in Canadian waters (and six found dead in U.S. waters) in 2017.
At the time, the Conservation Council joined its allies in calling on the federal government to introduce mandatory speed restrictions for freighters and vessels in Canadian waters where the whales were now being seen in high numbers.
Measures were introduced and fatal encounters have dropped significantly. But the threat to the species’ survival remains, and researchers say the new population estimate—down eight per cent from the 2019 estimate and well below the peak of 481 whales in 2011—shows that much more work remains to ensure the species recovery.
Last of the Right Whales was directed by Nadine Pequeneza and features proud New Brunswick cinematographer and good friend to the Conservation Council, Nick Hawkins
The film combines the 4K cinematography of a blue-chip nature film with the character-driven, vérité storytelling of a high-stakes drama. With unprecedented access to film the migration of the North Atlantic right whale from their calving ground off the coast of Florida to their new feeding area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this feature documentary brings a message of hope about the most at-risk, great whale on the planet.
You can watch the trailer here, and find out where to see it in theaters below!
Sunday, Feb. 20 2022 showings in New Brunswick
Cineplex Cinemas Trinity Drive (Moncton) at 12: 30 p.m. Buy tickets here.
Cineplex Cinemas Saint John at 3:30 p.m. Buy tickets here.
Cineplex Cinemas Miramichi at 4:15 p.m. Buy tickets here.
Monday, Feb. 21 2022 showings in New Brunswick
Cineplex Cinemas Trinity Drive (Moncton) at 7 p.m. Buy tickets here.
Cinexplex Cinemas Saint John at 7 p.m. Buy tickets here.
Cineplex Cinemas Miramichi at 4:15 p.m. Buy tickets here.