Richard O’Barry, a
well-known dolphin trainer behind the 1960s television hit “Flipper,” along with other animal rights and conservation activists form a team to expose a small town in Japan (Taiji) for its massive slaughter of dolphins. The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos, is one of the best documentaries among others (Food, Inc. and Unmistaken Child) I have seen in 2009.
Richard O’Barry had captured and trained all five dolphins that played the role of “Flipper”. It was later on that he began to observe and recognize the dolphins’ ill and depressive behaviors, until one day, one of the dolphins committed suicide in his arms. The event changed his whole perspective on dolphin hunting and training, and instead, had turned him into a dedicated activist. This documentary does a tremendous job in providing information not only on the issues of dolphin hunting alone, but also the multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry like Sea World and other water theme parks that perpetuate these hunts. Issues of high concentration of mercury in dolphin meat as well as disguising dolphin meat as other forms of meat that would appeal more to their consumers are discussed. Although the film does an exceptional job in providing educational information on the issues of dolphin hunting, the film has some basic unanswered questions. “How did the team sneak all the high-tech equipments into Japan when they were under heavy surveillance?” “If the team were being followed day and night, how did the team still infiltrate the restricted areas?” It was amazing to see how well their plan was implemented and the types of equipment used to capture the secret activities taken place at the lagoon. Another issue I found with the film was the fluidity of the documentary. From time to time, I felt lost in between O’Barry’s experiences and the focus of the documentary. Aside from these minor details, the documentary was well put-together overall.
Based on research and O’Barry’s experience working with these creatures, dolphins share the same ability of self-awareness and are just as smart, if not smarter than us humans. Others who are interviewed discuss their own experience communicating with dolphins as well as scientific facts that support O’Barry’s arguments. This film will shed a new light for its viewers on dolphins and will make you think twice about Sea World and other water theme parks. The Cove is a credible, but heartbreaking documentary that will leave a profound impact on its viewers.
