Could a whale swallow a human, “Whalefall” style?
Science Friday

Could a whale swallow a human, “Whalefall” style?

B2Upper-intermediateOctober 16, 202618 min
  • Interview
  • Science

In the new movie “Whalefall,” a scuba diver (Austin Abrams) gets accidentally swallowed by a sperm whale. What follows is a tense battle against time and the whale’s digestive system, to escape before his air supply runs out. But could a whale actually swallow a human? And how might this play out in real life? Joining Flora to weigh in are sperm whale biologist Shane Gero, and “Whalefall” director Brian Duffield. Wondering how you’d fare inside a sperm whale’s stomach? Read more here. Guests: Brian Duffield is the director of “Wha...

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trailer and I mean that in the most loving way for the movie Whalefall, which is about

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I'm in the whale!

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0:00

Hey, it's Flora and you're listening to Science Friday. If you've been scrolling or been to the movies lately, you may have seen the absolutely nutso trailer and I mean that in the most loving way for the movie Whalefall, which is about a guy who gets swallowed by a sperm whale.

0:24

I'm in the whale! Help me! It may sound far-fetched, but the film and the book it's based on really takes on the ins and outs, but especially the ins of sperm whale biology.

0:39

We're here today with whale fall director, Brian Duffield. Hey, Brian. Hello. And Shane Garo, sperm whale expert.

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