The Academy Award-winning drama “Marriage Story” has taken an unexpected turn – its audio content is being used to deter wolves from attacking livestock. The US Department of Agriculture in Oregon employed the film’s intense screaming and yelling scenes, along with other loud noises like fireworks and gunshots, to scare away predators.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, drones equipped with thermal cameras are used to spot wolves, which are then subjected to the audio blasts over a loudspeaker. The practice, known as “wolf hazing,” is preferred to culling due to the grey wolves’ endangered status on the federal list.
The film’s impact extends beyond human critics, as its performances have also been shown to be effective in deterring canines. In southern Oregon, drones were deployed after 11 cows were killed by wolves over a 20-day period, resulting in only two wolf deaths during an 85-day period when drones were on patrol.
“Marriage Story” premiered at the Venice film festival in 2019 and received widespread critical acclaim, including six Oscar nominations. The film’s performances, particularly those of Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, have been praised for their emotional intensity.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/04/audio-of-adam-driver-and-scarlett-johansson-arguments-from-marriage-story-used-to-scare-off-wolves-in-the-us