The Cove

Director: Louie Psihoyos
(2009)

Every year, approximately 2,300 dolphins are brutally killed in a small, secluded inlet on the coast of Japan. The Cove is a documentary that examines these appalling executions. The film was screened at Tribeca's "Docs on the Shortlist" weekend film festival earlier tonight.

The inspiration for the film came from Richard O'Barry, the man who helped train the five dolphins who portrayed Flipper. O'Barry had an intimate relationship with dolphins, and eventually came to the realization that they were self aware. This epiphany led him to turn on the industry that he was such an influential part of, and fight against the captivity of dolphins.

Part of what makes The Cove such a strong film is that it touches on so many issues. Not only does it delve into the mass murder of the dolphins of Taiji, but it examines the dangers of mercury poisoning, the buying of votes by Japan in the International Whale Commission, and questions why the government of Japan has allowed these atrocities to occur.

Louie Psihoyos (right) and Fisher Stevens (center) spoke after the screening

The filmmaker is quite passionate about conservation. During the Q & A following the screening, Psihoyos, who was a photographer for National Geographic for 17 years, noted that he has a 100% electric-powered vehicle (somehow in a non-preachy manner, I might add) with a vanity plate that reads "VUS," representing Vehicle Using Sun (he pointed out that it's SUV in reverse). He felt that perhaps a more ominous issue than the one addressed in The Cove was the threat of global warming on plankton, which is responsible for 2 out of 3 breaths that we take. While it may not be as easily translated to film as the photogenic marine mammals, Psihoyos may turn his sights to the small drifting organisms for his sophomore release.

The Cove has already made a difference. There was recently a temporary ban on killing bottlenose dolphins in Taiji. With the recent release of the DVD (purchase it on Amazon), the film should reach a wider audience. The more people that watch the film, the stronger the opposition will become to these heartless fisherman. Psihoyos advised the Tribeca audience to use whatever platform is available to promote the film and push the agenda. So I say to you: watch the film (trailer is below), sign the petition, embrace the cause, and enlist your friends to fight against the brutal massacre of these incredible creatures.



official film site

Trivial Tidbits:

• Dolphins can hear frequencies ten times or more above the upper limit of adult human hearing, though it is believed that they lack a sense of smell

82nd Oscars "Best Doc Feature" Short List

Last week The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released their short list of 15 films that will be considered for the “Best Documentary Feature” award at next year’s renowned ceremony. Eighty nine films had originally qualified for consideration.

The next phase will take place during the early morning (5:30 a.m., PST) of February 2, 2010, when 5 of the following 15 films will be graced with nominations:

• “The Beaches of Agnes,” Agnès Varda, director (Cine-Tamaris)
• “Burma VJ,” Anders Østergaard, director (Magic Hour Films)
• “The Cove,” Louie Psihoyos, director (Oceanic Preservation Society)
• “Every Little Step,” James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, directors (Endgame Entertainment)
• “Facing Ali,” Pete McCormack, director (Network Films Inc.)
• “Food, Inc.,” Robert Kenner, director (Robert Kenner Films)
• “Garbage Dreams,” Mai Iskander, director (Iskander Films, Inc.)
• “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders,” Mark N. Hopkins, director (Red Floor Pictures LLC)
• “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, directors (Kovno Communications)
• “Mugabe and the White African,” Andrew Thompson and Lucy Bailey, directors (Arturi Films Limited)
• “Sergio,” Greg Barker, director (Passion Pictures and Silverbridge Productions)
• “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, directors (Freedom Song Productions)
• “Under Our Skin,” Andy Abrahams Wilson, director (Open Eye Pictures)
• “Valentino The Last Emperor,” Matt Tyrnauer, director (Acolyte Films)
• “Which Way Home,” Rebecca Cammisa, director (Mr. Mudd)

Louie Psihoyos’ The Cove is an early front runner, having already won a handful of awards including the audience award for best documentary at Sundance and the audience award for best feature at the Nantucket Film Festival. The activist film has been praised for its resounding message.

One glaring omission is that of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story, the summer blockbuster of documentaries that grossed over $14 million. The Documentary Branch Screening Committee may have felt that, despite the topical relevance, Moore’s voice is tired and his structure lacked innovation.

The 82nd Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 7, 2010.