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”.