Don't Avert Your Eyes from The Cove

Last week I finished watching one of the most disturbing, yet necessary documentaries that I have seen in my life. It is called The Cove, and it was initially refused by theatres, then shown in only limited release in Japan. Outside of the country where it is set, the movie has been widely lauded, winning awards at festivals all around the world, including the 2010 Academy Award for best documentary. The controversy it generated in Japan was enough to make it a must see, but once it arrived, the subject matter—dolphin slaughter—had me delaying a viewing. Now that I have watched the entire movie, my advice to the queasy is to stop waiting and watch it. Even though the butchering of the dolphins is shown in a painfully clear scene, it is presented in such a way that it forces the viewer to confront the carnage without descending into scenes of sickening gore.

The documentary producers make full use of the ninety minutes of attention they are asking for, so even if you skip the bloodiest scene, you will still find a number of compelling storylines. The beauty and intelligence of dolphins is celebrated along with their willingness to bond with humans who treat them well. We meet former dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry and learn about his attempt to seek redemption for his role in exploiting captive dolphins by ending the annual dolphin hunt in the town of Taiji. Taiji itself almost becomes a character, as the purported and actual reasons for the dolphin hunt are explored and exposed. The hunt itself could not continue without the active support of the Japanese government, and their efforts to prolong whale and dolphin hunts at the International Whaling Commission are subjected to intense scrutiny as well. The kicker is revealed half way through when the producers reveal evidence that dolphin meat is not only contaminated with mercury levels unfit for human consumption, but that it is being sold in supermarkets falsely labelled as higher priced whale meat.



Paradoxically, the most troublesome storyline involves the depiction of the plan to capture the dolphin killings on tape. In one sense, it is thrilling to watch the team being assembled and the plan take form. The technology geek in me enjoyed watching a special effects department create fake rocks and boulders to conceal hidden cameras. The excitement builds to the point where I found myself looking forward to “the sting” when the belligerent dolphin killers would be exposed on camera, only to catch myself and remember the Pyrrhic element of the victory. The killers would be exposed, yes, but at the cost of more dolphin lives.

Despite the shocking information that is presented, there are a number of glimmers of hope sprinkled throughout the documentary:

* Two brave Taiji politicians stood up to ensure mercury contaminated dolphin meat would be removed from school lunches. 

* Japanese in Tokyo are apparently unaware of the Taiji dolphin hunt. When the citizens who agreed to be interviewed on camera were informed of the practice, they didn't defend it as a “cultural practice,” but expressed their opposition to it. 

* Even though Japan has sponsored a number of Caribbean countries participating in the International Whaling Commission in exchange for their votes, Dominica has withdrawn from the IWC, refusing to participate in the charade any further. 

* We can help prevent dolphin slaughter through one simple non-action. If you are really interested in them, don't go to dolphin shows at places like Seaworld and Marineland. If the audience for these shows disappears, then the market for captured dolphins will collapse (approximately $150 000 an animal). This will remove the incentive for Taiji residents to herd dolphins, sell a few, then kill the dolphin trainer rejects for a measly $600 an animal. 

If you want to judge for yourself, see The Cove at the earliest opportunity. If you understand Japanese, the documentary is now available for free viewing on-line at the following link. Spread the word.