The Cove

             In the 2009 film The Cove directed by Louie Psyhoyos, the slaughtering of dolphins in Taiji, Japan was brought to national attention. The film starred Richard O’Barry, who was the first to train dolphins and learn their special bonds. Dolphins were put into captivity because of him and his work in the renowned television series, Flipper. After the ten years that was put into training dolphins and using them for entertainment, O’Barry shared with the viewers that he has spent the past thirty years trying to shut it all down. O’Barry realized that dolphins do not belong in captivity, and he blames himself for the actions happening in Taji today.

 The film did a fantastic job in finding the evidence to prove that the slaughtering of dolphins was actually happening, however, It did not adequately present the Japanese side. I feel that the Japanese side wasn’t presented because according to the film, the slaughtering of dolphins is an unethical, terrible, and inexcusable thing to be a part of. If we had heard the other side of the story, viewers may have had the opportunity to either feel sympathetic for the Japanese, or even agree with them. This was something that Psyhoyos did not want to be an option.

            In most cases, both sides of an argument are presented so that you can get the full understanding of a situation. I believe that because this particular situation was so disturbing and wrong, that the Japanese side wasn’t even worth hearing. Seeing how upset the characters were, and how emotional the film was in general, made it very hard to see how slaughtering dolphins could be acceptable in any way, shape, or form.

            I really enjoyed The Cove, it was the most interesting documentary I have ever seen, and I found myself taking it very personally by the end. I was not aware that dolphins were being slaughtered, especially 23,000 a year in one place. The whole concept is disgusting and I can’t believe that the men that kill the dolphins don’t agree. There are other ways to make money and to put food on the table, so I have no sympathy for any of the men involved, and I do hope that someday in the near future they will be penalized. As for the fact that the Japanese side was not adequately presented in the film, I know that I am not alone when I say, “I could care less”.

Koyaanisqatsi

            

                                                          The Experience of Silent Films

           

            The film Koyaanisqatsi is a 1983 silent film directed by Godfrey Reggio. The film forces one out of their ordinary viewing habits due to the fact that it requires you to really watch instead of relying on dialogue. The film forces people out of their ordinary viewing habits because ordinarily, one is required to listen to the dialogue in the film and not just watch the cinematography.  Although it’s easier to watch movies with dialogue, the film Koyaanisqatsi proves that silent films can be just as powerful.

            Koyaanisqatsi showed through a series of pictures and videos, that humans have destroyed nature and will continue to over time. The film begins by focusing on elements of the earth and their beauty, untouched by humans. It then slowly starts introducing destruction and how humans have been its primary source.

            The fact that Koyaanisqatsi is a silent film, it has the effect to make one uncomfortable, especially if they don’t know what to expect. Viewing a silent film like Koyaanisqatsi is just an opportunity to experience something new and different. It makes people uncomfortable only because it isn’t what we watch for movies and entertainment in today’s society.

The film was incredibly well produced and thought out. It was different to watch because one had to focus so much on little details in order to understand the importance of the film.  For example, the film de-familiarizes ones perspective through the shifts in colors and its unique use of straight lines. The film had a way of manipulating ones mind to see images other than what was actually photographed. The clouds were sped up to a point where one couldn’t tell if they were looking at clouds or waves, and also in the beginning a rocket was shown taking off, but all it looked like was some form of destruction. It was incredibly important to take the minute details into serious consideration, because it was the only way to fully understand the main points of the film. Overall, the film was surprisingly interesting and made a lot of good points about humans and nature combined on planet earth.  Koyaanisqantsi was the first silent film I had ever seen and at first it made me very uncomfortable because I wasn’t willing to give it a chance, and just assumed it would be boring. I learned that not only was it really interesting, but it proved that dialogue isn’t always needed to get the point across.