The Cove – Award-Winning Documentary Film
Heroic Film Crew Exposes Covert Japanese Inlet Used to Trap Dolphins
Aug 5, 2009
One part thriller and one part eco-adventure, the documentary, The Cove, is full of thrills, tears and laughter for its viewers. Ultimately, this compelling investigative exposé inspires social action.
The coastal village of Taiji, Japan generates its income from whale-watching tourism and its fishing industry. The small town also harbors a big secret. This nail-biting and heart-breaking film documents the unknown abuse suffered by Japanese dolphins ensnared inside Taiji’s picturesque cove.
The inlet is situated in a heavily patrolled and barbed wire-protected seashore national park. Once trapped in the lagoon, these exceptional sea creatures are appraised for their entertainment value for the multi-billion dollar marine amusement park industry. The dolphins not chosen are sold to Japanese consumers unaware of its dangerously high mercury content.
Answering The Ocean's Call For Help
The doc’s director, Louie Psyihoyos and executive producer, Jim Clark, are the co-founders of the Ocean Preservation Society (OPS). Psyihoyos assembled a elite team to assist in the illegal filming operation under the guidance of Ric O’Barry. It was O’Barry, a marine mammal specialist, who brought Psyihoyos’ attention to the dolphin crisis in Taiji, Japan.
O’Barry spent 10 years as a dolphin trainer for the Miami Seaquarium, during which he also trained the dolphins used in the popular 60’s TV show Flipper. After witnessing the harmful effects on the show animals in captivity, he devoted the next 35 years, and counting, to advocate on their behalf. The often-arrested founder of the Dolphin Project has rescued and released 25 captive dolphins, since.
Flirting With The Law
O’Barry , the director of the Save Japan Dolphins coalition, uses evasive measures to elude the Japanese government and the local police to protect the OPS film crew’s true purpose. The high-tech equipped team’s mission is to infiltrate the Japanese inlet and document the concealed activities occurring under the cover of night.
Using thermal technology, hidden video cameras, and their individual specialized skills, the crew uncovers the graphic violence endured by the imprisoned dolphins not chosen for the public’s entertainment. The captured film is later dramatically presented to members of a major whaling conference, rather heroically, by Ric O’Barry.
“The Cove” also reveals how toxic levels of mercury are commonly found in fish at the top of the food chain, such as tuna and grouper. New awareness to this information may persuade pescatarians (vegetarians who eat fish) to become vegans.
The documentary also includes the infamous video footage of Heroes’ actress Hayden Panettiere in tears, after being arrested offshore from Taiji. Panettiere, and six other activists from the Sea Shepherd Conversation Society, formed a traditional Hawaiian surfers’ memorial circle on surf boards. The surfers from the anti-whaling group had come to protest the thousands of dolphins being slaughtered at the cove every year.
The Ocean's Eleven-Style Team
Richard O'Barry (marine mammal specialist and director of the “Save Japan Dolphins” coalition), Simon Hutchins (Director of Expeditions), Mandy-Rae Cruickshank (FreeDiver), Kirk Krack (FreeDiver), David Rastovich (Freesurfer), Scott Baker (DNA Scientist), Charles Hambleton (Clandestine Operations), Greg “Moondog” Mooney (Marine Technician), and Joseph Chisholm (Unit Production Manager).
Directed by Louie Psihoyos. Written by Mark Monroe. Cinematography by Brooke Aitken. Edited by Geoffrey Richman.
Produced by Paula DuPré Pesmen and Fisher Stevens. Executive Producer is Jim Clark. U.S. distribution by Roadside Attractions.
(Running Time: 92 min)
(Rated: PG-13, for disturbing content.)
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