SEA OF SHADOWS (Mexico/Austria)

Austria, 104 minutes

Directors: Richard Ladkani, Sean Bogle, and Matthew Podolsky

Previous film festivals: Sundance (Audience Award – World Cinema Documentary)

The vaquita, the world's smallest whale, is near extinction, as its habitat is destroyed by Mexican drug cartels and the Chinese mafia seeking to harvest the swim bladder of the totoaba fish - - the so-called "cocaine of the sea." This urgent documentary tells the story of the efforts of environmental activists, the Mexican navy, and undercover investigators, who are fighting back against this illegal and environmentally-destructive multi-million dollar business.

What we think: Is it an environmental documentary? is it a thriller? This film is fascinating in any way.