Documentary analysis - MERMAIDS: The Body Found
MERMAIDS: The Body Found | Written by Charlie Foley and Vaibhav Bhatt | Produced by Darlow Smithson and Tom Brisley | Released May 27, 2012
There are a lot of conspiracies about the existence of underwater creatures resembling man, or more often referred to as mermaids. The documentary entitled “Mermaids: The Body found” tells us a story about a group of scientists who made efforts trying to uncover where the mysterious sounds from the underwater recordings came from and if there really were evidences that aquatic humanoids exist. The documentary is informative for it not only told a story of the experience of the scientists, but it also presented evidence as to why these scientists stand by their claims. The documentary also tried to seek answers to some questions regarding aquatic humanoids that really satisfies the audience’s curiosity.
The issue is highly controversial for not only does it attract the curious audience but it seems to present accurate evidence and facts including the organizations involved with the research. In the documentary, there was a part where the research had to be cut off when the government confiscated all of the scientists’ research materials. Also, the government was so keen into hiding information even from the beginning where a child found out about the mysterious figures, was visited by an organization’s personnel and was asked not to disclose information but the child kept the evidence in pictures in his phone. This entailed us to ask why the government would be so keen into taking down this type of research if it did not stir up controversy. More so, the documentary claimed the involvement of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an American agency that aims for scientific discoveries in the oceans and the atmosphere.
In the documentary, it showed numerous events of whale beachings occuring in different places. The scientists, upon examination, deducted that the recordings had something to do with the events. They at first thought that whatever created that sound on the recordings scared the whales but in the end, they concluded that those who created the sound killed the whales and the bodies simply washed up ashore. The claims, again, are highly realistic and whoever watches the documentary would certainly believe the claims.
Sadly, the documentary has been found out to be fake. All those involved, including the scientists who claimed to have been researching about the mermaids and the mysterious recordings, were actors and actresses. Although it was proven to be a hoax, the documentary has still provided materials such as the mysterious sounds present in a recording gathered, the incidence of the whale beaching and the aquatic ape theory.
The documentary would certainly give an impact to general audience. If not, probably those who would be classified as a mix of believers and non-believers of the existence of mermaids. Those who believe would find their source of certainty that their claims are backed-up. But probably to their dismay, the documentary is a hoax therefore would not contribute to their claims.
Like previously stated, the documentary was a hoax. The people involved were actors and actresses, and that no such events have really happened unless proven otherwise. If you are to watch the documentary, you also need to have proper knowledge about the claims of the existence of mermaids. You have to know about NOAA, the organization and how it claims to not really be involved in the documentary and to its proposed research, and as to why the people involved in this documentary still push through with researching about the existince of aquatic humanoids.
Although some were fake, the evidences given could really lead to actual discovery. Even if the documentary was fake, the airing and the amount of hits and stir it received could influence scientists to actually research about the issue and maybe prove that the aquatic humanoids really exist or not. The evidence such as the “bloop” or the mysterious sounds in the recordings, since it was real, would be a powerful instrument for the scientists to further investigate upon and maybe the aquatic ape theory, which stated that apes adapted into the waters having let them develop tails and gills in order to survive the waters, would not be a theory anymore.
Yes, the documentary is fake but it does not only have to stop to that. Admittedly, the documentary could lead to a lot of research and open the numerous possibilities with regards to the issue. Who knows? Maybe we just thought that the contents of the documentary were impossible but it might be true years from now after all!