The Cove [DVD] [2009]

In his film debut The Cove, award-winning director/photographer Louie Psihoyos highlights the gruesome, annual slaughter of about 2,300 dolphins in a National Park at Taiji, Wakayama, in Japan.

Backed up with hard facts, interviews and undercover evidence the documentary follows the atonement of "Flipper" trainer Ric O'Barry as he continues on his dangerous quest to end the annual killing of dolphins trapped in a secret cove.

Within this film, uncomfortable footage highlights the length of deception the authorities are prepared to go to in order to hide the abuse of these animals. While the entire town promotes their love of cetaceans, attracting tourists from all over the world, activities at the aggressively guarded cove indicate a far less loving regard for the animals.

We see Japanese marine scientists select a few dolphins destined for theme parks across the world. In graphic, spine chilling footage we see the fate of the remaining few hundred dolphins. These are brutally, inhumanely bludgeoned to death before being sold off as meat.

Evidence of rampant corruption is unleashed to the Japanese public as the illegal toxicity levels of mercury found in the dolphin meat is exposed.
Director Louie Psihoyos justifies his need for the secret, undercover filming as his attempts to openly collect footage of the cove are met with threats of violence from the local fishermen and intimidation by the Japanese authorities.

Not only has this film been well shot using the latest digital equipment but it is also a story beautifully told. The viewer will benefit from a collaboration of marine conservation experts willing to share over 40 years worth of knowledge.

Achieving awards in cinematography, production and best documentary this film is much more than the promotion of dolphin conservation it is also an insight into the corruption, by large marine park corporations, of the institutions put in place to protect these marine species.

This powerful documentary will entertain all but if you have any leanings towards marine conservation this film is a must see as it is packed with facts highlighting the plight of conservation leaders worldwide. After watching this film you might find yourself asking: "What can I do to help?"

An unashamedly very personal perspective of the annual dolphin slaughter occurring in a small cove of a small town in Japan, Taiji. Ric O'Barry and a committed band of concerned individuals passionately highlight this trade and the ethical debate surrounding it via secretly filmed footage, footage from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meetings, talking heads and extracts of interviews with various Japanese officials.
It is problematic in parts. Of the thousands of dolphins that are driven and contained within the cove the bottlenose dolphins are removed and sold on to dolphinarium type places (we'll come back to that) and the rest are killed and eaten. The film dispenses with the 'cultural' argument very quickly by stating (paraphrasing) 'the Japanese say we eat cows.... but eating dolphins isn't part of their culture' They are then exploring shops and markets in Tokyo buying whalemeat and testing it for both mercury levels and to establish what type of cetacean it is the conclusion being that many people buying whale meat are actually inadvertently buying dolphin meat. The film for me did not make a distinction as to why a nation who are happy to eat whale meat would balk at the idea of consuming dolphin meat. Is there a cultural reason for this or is it because higher mercury levels in dolphins deter consumers?
Of course the 'cultural' argument in itself does not justify a carte blanche approach to just anything as there are many odious practices justified on tradition grounds but there are also philosphical arguments the Japanese defence has highlighted and it raises the rhetorical questions is it worse to kill and eat a creature that has until that point existed in its own environment compared to one bred and raised within a controlled environment?
Should particular species be given special consideration based upon intelligence levels etc above that given to other species? I have no issue with a yes response to these and the wider argument concerning the fragility of the ocean eco-system it's just I felt the film was on slightly shaky ground in its fleeting raising and dismissing of the cultural argument.
O'Barry reported that bottlenose dolphins are sold for up to $150k each to various amusement parks and it seems that the remaining dolphins which are killed do not provide much of a revenue. This whale meat was to be distributed free within schools in the local area so can be viewed as little more than a by-product. The Cove did feature footage of these theme parks with performing dolphins but I felt the film should have made the message more explicit that ultimately those who pay to visit attractions like these are creating the demand for dolphin extraction from the wild and the associated slaughter in Japan.
Nonetheless the film is a triumph for individual perseverance and courage. In spite of the hostility, threats and police surveillance of the activists they go to enormous lengths to rig hidden cameras around the cove and capture the disturbing footage they set out to film. The footage from the IWC is also very illuminating and culminates nicely with O'Barry (banned for life from the IWC) interrupting proceedings during the Japanese representatives speech proclaiming how non-cruel the process is, by entering centre stage with a screen around his neck playing the footage of the dolphin kills he has captured.
O'Barry in his time was the animal trainer who captured and trained the 5 dolphins who were 'flipper' in the tv programme of the same name and in his own words acknowledges his ignorance at being involved in this trade and to a degree sparking off the popular appeal of captive dolphins. He changed his mind after one of the dolphins died in his arms and has worked to rescue dolphins since. It is also worth mentioning that in the past two of O'Barry's former co-activists were murdered in seperate events in pursuit of their objectives.
Maybe any long term change will come about from heightened awareness of mercury levels in cetaceans and educating dolphinarium visitors as opposed to challenging Japanese fishermen and officials directly but a depressing observation made was that with the unsustainable overfishing levels dolphins and other whales are likely to become in increasing demand.
The Cove is a very good documentary and despite its pessimistic subject matter says an awful lot about redemption, the human spirit and the enormous difference an individual can make.

This is an excellent documentary and worthy of its Oscar nomination.

Most importantly is its message that certain groups in Japan's fishing industry and political institutions are willing to lie to their own people about mercury poisoning as well as covering up the horrific slaugher of these beautiful creatures. Watch the film and prepare to be shocked, but also educated.

The film also highlights the games Japan's government plays at the International Whaling Commission in bribing poor small island nations, most of whom actually have no interest in the whaling industry to vote in support of Japan's efforts to increase whaling activities. The film highlights the ecological disaster that is occuring in one local spot, but also paints the canvas of the broader ecological disaster occuring for cetaceans around the globe. Japan (or more accurately a Japanese fishing community and the Japanese government) may be the villain of this piece - most Japanese are ignorant of the facts; but the film also highlights the unnecessary death and stress caused to cetaceans captured from the wild to perform party tricks for western and asian marine entertainment parks (a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide).

It is difficult to watch this film and not feel sick and angry. However, the film provides an important educational tool which will hopefully mobilise people to save these beautiful animals from such selfish, senseless slaughter and captivity.