Co-directed by Chris Marker and Mario Ruspoli, Three Cheers for the Whale traces humanity’s complex relationship with whales—from reverence to exploitation—culminating in a stark depiction of industrial whaling. Combining archival imagery, commentary, and documentary footage, the film offers both a historical reflection and a call for ecological awareness.
Direction
Marker's essay-film alchemy turns statistics into poetry.
Editing
Jarring cuts between majestic whales and factory slaughter.
Sound
Three disembodied voices haunt like Greek chorus of conscience.
Director
Chris Marker
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made for French TV, this was Marker's rare commissioned work—he smuggled avant-garde technique into prime-time ecological agitprop.
Marker reportedly hated the original narration and re-edited the film twice; the 'definitive' version remains contested.
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