Watch A River Below

A River Below is a 2017 documentary film directed by Mark Grieco. The film follows the story of two conservationists, Richard Rasmussen and Fernando Trujillo, as they fight for the preservation of the Amazon Pink River Dolphin, a unique species that is being hunted to extinction. The film begins with a shocking video of a group of people dragging a dead Amazon Pink River Dolphin out of the water, some of the individuals can be heard laughing. The video then cuts to Richard Rasmussen, a renowned Brazilian wildlife host, referring to the people in the video as "criminals". He is in shock and dismay at what he has seen, and is determined to do something to stop the illegal hunting of these magnificent creatures.

The film establishes that these dolphins are not just an important part of the Amazonian ecosystem, but also a symbol of Brazil's national identity. A River Below then jumps to Colombia where we meet Fernando Trujillo, a renowned conservationist trying to do his part in protecting the dolphins. He believes that the only way to save them is to raise awareness about their situation.

Together, Rasmussen and Trujillo embark on a journey to document and reveal the horrors of dolphin hunting, which is fueled by the demand for fishing bait in Brazil. But their efforts are met with resistance, and their story becomes one of betrayal, corruption, and ethical dilemmas.

A River Below takes a deep dive into the complicated reality of trying to preserve a species in a world where money and political power reign supreme. The filmmakers weave a narrative that unveils the complex ecological and socio-economic factors that contribute to the problem of dolphin hunting. The documentary shows how the killing of the dolphins serves the wealthy and powerful who profit from the fishing industry, but destroys the fragile ecosystem which sustains life for many who live along the Amazon River.

The film sheds light on the struggle of the individuals who are fighting against the odds to protect these magnificent creatures, bringing to light the challenges that conservation efforts face in a world dominated by commerce and politics. It packs an emotional punch through impactful storytelling and heart-wrenching images of the slaughtered dolphins, sending a message that the future of these endangered creatures lies in our hands.

Watching A River Below, viewers are taken on a journey of discovery, one that exposes the brutal reality of the dolphin trade, the effects of the media on conservation efforts, and the ethical questions that arise when trying to save a species. The film is relevant not just to South America, but to the world as a whole, as we navigate the murky waters of trying to preserve life on our planet.

Overall, A River Below is an educational, thought-provoking, and emotionally moving documentary that captures the heart and soul of the fight for conservation. It reveals the hope, sacrifice, and perseverance required to make a difference, and ultimately asks the question, can we, as a society, work together to protect the creatures that inhabit our shared planet?

A River Below is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 81.