Winner of the 2009 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, The Cove is a bold, inflammatory and gripping real life story about a group of activists trying to expose the slaughter of thousands of dolphins that occurs each year in the Japanese fishing village of Taiji. Despite the attention the film received around the globe however, director Louis Psihoyos, who also founded the Oceanic Preservation Society, believes that many residents in Taiji are yet to see the film. So, with the help of anonymous activists within Taiji, Psihoyos will this week have DVD copies of the movie mailed to each home in the town of 3500 people, in a further attempt to spread the film’s message.
Regardless of some concerns I had about the documentary’s clear one sidedness, The Cove was one of my favourite films of 2009 (you can read my review here). One of the most interesting aspects of the movie was how it attempted to dispel the supposed myth that dolphin hunting is a cultural practice within Japan, and how it purported that most everyday Japanese citizens were unaware of the slaughters that occur annually in fishing towns such Taiji. The film did have a limited release in Japanese theatres last year, but screenings were often disrupted by angry right wing protestors.
Following the films win at the Academy Awards, some reports surfaced that the number of dolphins being killed in Taiji had been significantly reduced, but their validity was soon thrown into question. Clearly, this news story shows that Psihoyos and OPS have not given up the fight to bring an end to the dolphin slaughter and captivity industry in Japan. If you haven’t already seen The Cove, I’d highly recommend you do so; I’ve included the films trailer after the jump. In the mean time, share your thoughts on the film, and on Psihoyos’ latest stunt, in the comments section below.
