Activism in Film: “The Cove”

Wow! Rotten Tomatoes is giving this eco-docudrama a 94% rating! Awesome. Don’t miss it.

By: EricW | Aug 9, 2009 |  4

Categories: Animal Rights, Environment, Artevist, Video

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I haven't seen the movie The Cove yet, but I can't wait. The reviews are unanimously glowing, and after checking out my favourite movie website RottenTomatoes.com, it's clear that this is a not-to-be-missed event. Sounds like The Cove could set a new standard for environmental documentaries. You can find out more at The Cove movie website, or by reading the Rotten Tomatoes reviews.

Here is the Synopsis from The Cove website:

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The Cove begins in Taiji, Japan, where former dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry has come to set things right after a long search for redemption. In the 1960s, it was O'Barry who captured and trained the 5 dolphins who played the title character in the international television sensation "Flipper."

But his close relationship with those dolphins -- the very dolphins who sparked a global fascination with trained sea mammals that continues to this day -- led O'Barry to a radical change of heart. One fateful day, a heartbroken Barry came to realize that these deeply sensitive, highly intelligent and self-aware creatures so beautifully adapted to life in the open ocean must never be subjected to human captivity again. This mission has brought him to Taiji, a town that appears to be devoted to the wonders and mysteries of the sleek, playful dolphins and whales that swim off their coast.

But in a remote, glistening cove, surrounded by barbed wire and "Keep Out" signs, lies a dark reality. It is here, under cover of night, that the fishermen of Taiji, driven by a multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry and an underhanded market for mercury-tainted dolphin meat, engage in an unseen hunt. The nature of what they do is so chilling -- and the consequences are so dangerous to human health -- they will go to great lengths to halt anyone from seeing it.

Undeterred, O'Barry joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Oceanic Preservation Society to get to the truth of what's really going on in the cove and why it matters to everyone in the world. With the local Chief of Police hot on their trail and strong-arm fishermen keeping tabs on them, they will recruit an "Ocean's Eleven"-style team of underwater sound and camera experts, special effects artists, marine explorers, adrenaline junkies and world-class free divers who will carry out an undercover operation to photograph the off-limits cove, while playing a cloak-and-dagger game with those who would have them jailed. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery that adds up to an urgent plea for hope.

The Cove is directed by Louie Psihoyos and produced by Paula DuPre Pesman and Fisher Stevens. The film is written by Mark Monroe. The executive producer is Jim Clark and the co-producer is Olivia Ahnemann.

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I saw this film yesterday. Awesome. You guys should so do a t-shirt contest on dolphins, whales and Japan.

By: Janet
posted: August 15, 2009 at 10:08 PM

That would be a good idea for a tshirt. haven’t seen movie yet but i understand it is very good.

By: ZurFred
posted: August 17, 2009 at 10:56 AM

I saw ‘The Cove’ last night. Great movie. Great cause. Ric O’Barry is my hero!

O’Barry has formed an non-profit org to help save Japan’s dolphins, and yes… they sell T-shirts. You can find them at: http://www.savejapandolphins.org/

But Artevist is thinking about an anti Japanese whaling policy contest. Stay tuned.

By: EricW
posted: August 17, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Super film. Artevist should run a contest and help them. I didn’t like tshirts on their website.

By: TanyaXIX
posted: August 22, 2009 at 02:19 PM