Ido Weisman

Aug 29, 2023 | newyorker.com | Nathan Burstein |Ido Weisman

Shot in two days in February, 2021, “Requiem for a Whale” conveys the tragedy of the young creature’s death, while also following the response of human observers. Like virtually every other unusual sight in the era of smartphones, the decomposing animal becomes a backdrop for selfies, no matter how callous or distasteful the photos may appear to some. Officials from Israel’s Nature & Parks Authority arrive to perform an autopsy; journalists report at the scene.