This is one of those movies that makes you think about our disregard of all living creatures and our arrogance as rulers of Earth. This amazingly well-crafted documentary exposes the annual slaughter of thousands of dolphins in a National Park at Taiji, Wakayama, in Japan. Though killing of dolphins is not banned in Japan the movie reveals the shocking methods that are used to capture and kill one the most intelligent and magnificent creatures on the planet.
Not only does this movie deliver an important message but it is also a marvelous piece of filmmaking. Everything from the soundtrack and the spy-thriller-like script, to the shocking final images represents filmmaking at its best. This is definitely one of the greatest documentaries that I have ever seen.
And you would expect no less from the people that were involved: Louie Psihoyos (Director) who is regarded as one of top photographers in the world and has worked for National Geographic for 18 years, Fisher Stevens (Producer) – an actor and producer who has produced or executive produced over 15 films 5 of which have been nominated for Academy Award, Joshua Ralph (Music) whose scores are included in the Museum of Modern Art’s Permanent collection of film and video in New York, Richard O’Barry who is one of the top dolphin specialists in the world with his more that 45 years of experience, and many other brave activists and filmmakers.
Some might consider the issues discussed in The Cove as inferior to ones like AIDS, Global Warming, and other ecological catastrophes but the final words of the movie reveal that no issue is too small to be neglected:
“If we can’t stop that, If we can’t fix that, forget about the bigger issues. There’s no hope.” – Richard O’Barry
Related links
Official website of The Cove
The Cove at TakePart Social Action Network
Oceanic Preservation Society
Link to this page
