IFAW statement on new Netflix movie ‘Under Paris’

“Sharks play a critical role in keeping oceans healthy, balancing the food chain and ensuring species diversity. Only on your movie screen will they swim through the Seine or the River Thames in London and eat people as if they’re gobbling down potato chips with ketchup squirted all over. 

Back in the 70s, the movie Jaws did sharks no favour. We’re still doing damage control giving their reputation a complete makeover by recognising their amazing contribution to a healthy planet. Now we’re up against another movie piggybacking on this less than favourable image of the species, having sharks behave like a menacing predator, while in reality we are the ones hunting them to extinction. 

It seems ‘Under Paris’ could be intended to show the shark as a victim of humankind and raise awareness about ocean pollution, loss of habitat and shark conservation. Yet it still emphasizes the eternal stereotype of radical activists and sharks as the villain in the story. Nature and wildlife conservation organisations like IFAW, however, base their campaigns on scientific reports and approaches aiming for both people and animals to thrive. 

It’s time to set the record straight: Sharks keep our marine ecosystems healthy, and this makes our planet more climate change resilient. They capture carbon, not dead humans - with climate change being the real horror here. The movie also portrays the mutated shark who has adapted to climate change, and people being too busy with their lives to pay attention to looming disaster. If we don't take urgent action, we may find Paris and other places like London, Amsterdam or Berlin actually under water in the future. 

If you're still not convinced after watching ‘Under Paris’ and you're looking for more evidence - click here for more info on how sharks benefit our planet and help combat climate change.” 

- Barbara Slee, senior program manager International Policy at IFAW