The Cove - film
The Cove is a 2009 documentary film directed by Louie Psihoyos and produced by Fisher Stevens. The film revolves around the annual dolphin drive hunt that takes place in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan. The movie was shot in secret and follows a team of activists as they try to expose the dolphin hunting industry and bring international attention to the issue.
The film begins by introducing the small town of Taiji where the annual dolphin hunt takes place between September and March, and thousands of dolphins are killed each year. The movie exposes the brutality of the hunt, as dolphins are driven into a small cove and trapped there by nets. The hunters then select the dolphins they want to sell to marine parks and aquariums, and the rest are killed for their meat.
The filmmakers follow a team of activists, including former dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, as they attempt to document the hunt and bring attention to the issue. The team uses hidden cameras and other covert tactics to capture footage of the hunt and the subsequent killing of dolphins. The film also highlights the health risks associated with eating dolphin meat, which is often contaminated with high levels of mercury.
The Cove was released to critical acclaim, winning numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2010. The film sparked international outrage and drew attention to the issue of dolphin hunting in Japan. The Japanese government, however, has defended the practice as a traditional cultural activity and continues to allow it to this day.
The film also led to the creation of The Dolphin Project, an organization founded by Ric O'Barry that aims to end dolphin captivity and hunting worldwide. The organization works to raise awareness about the issue and advocates for the protection of dolphins and other marine life.
The Cove is a powerful and emotional documentary that exposes the cruelty of the dolphin hunting industry and raises important questions about the ethics of using animals for human entertainment and consumption.