Cookies help us run our site more efficiently.

By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information or to customize your cookie preferences.

The Whale Guitar: Instrument of Change

Directed By
Shawn Tetrault
Produced By
Jen Long, Shawn Tetrault, Mike Ryan
Now Playing
Cinema Verde
2024
The Whale Guitar: Instrument of Change
Play Icon
TRAILER
The Whale Guitar: Instrument of Change
12
Minutes
Minute
Music
,
Activism
,
Climate
United States
2023

Inspired by Herman Melville's epic tale, "Moby-Dick or The Whale", a late-blooming singer/songwriter and former toy designer, Jen Long, acts on a startling vision and commissions the design and build of a remarkable custom electric guitar. It's body is "The Whale" itself as it snags the mad Captain Ahab in the tangled ropes of his own obsession, and prepares to launch a boat of his whalers to their doom. The entire guitar reinterprets Melville's tale as an Anthropocene climate change warning, with the whale representing the seas and storms of climate change arising on this "third day" of late stage capitalism. Hundreds of guitarists, including J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., and Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females, have played and signed this "Instrument of Change" to amplify the alarm to turn our ship of over-production and over-consumption around while there is still time. As the embroidered strap featuring Starbuck's last words implores: "oh! Ahab, not too late is it, even now, the third day, to desist."

Play Icon
No items found.

More from

Shawn Tetrault

No items found.

More in the Series

No items found.
The Whale Guitar: Instrument of Change
is now playing. Visit our Virtual Screenings page to view all streaming films.

Become a member

For full access to our environmental film collection.

Virtual Screenings

Dive in to our streaming environmental film collection.