Ryan McNeil
I am in no way an animal rights activist. that’s not to say that I don’t care about the well being of the creatures we share this earth with. It’s just to say that one has to choose their causes, and that the neverending fight for animal rights just isn’t “my fight”. I support everyone whose fight it is, but I tend to stand aside somewhat unaffected. So when a movie like THE COVE can come along, and shake me out of my neutrality…it’s surprising.
THE COVE is a documentary that zeroes in on the fishing village of Tajii, Japan. It’s this tiny village that is the centre of the world’s dolphin hunting and trade. Boats fill the water in Tajii harbour, and heard the dolphins towards a wide mouthed lagoon where they are penned for sale to ocean life attractions, and rumoured to be killed. Former dolphin trainer, and current activist Ric O’Barry is determined to capture footage of what happens in that cove…but it seems to be much easier said than done.
This cove is heavily guarded and well out of rubbernecker view. There are fences, there are guards, there’s barbed wire. Get too close in broad daylight and you’ll get chased off. Pull out a camera and they’ll scream at you while they chase you off. this is what really makes the film – not the fact that it documents a very controversial practice…but the story within the story of the guerilla filmmaking that needs to take place in order to document the very controversial practice. Think of it as OCEAN’S 11 without the star power.
From a technical standpoint the doc is not flawless – there were about five time-delay sequences too many for my liking. However, the decision to pay special attention to the team that risked a lot to tell this story more than makes up for it. Admittedly it’s strange…it’s rare that one celebrates a doc that is heavily centred around the making of the doc. However, the passion and dedication of this motley crew, make their story just too intriguing to ignore.
Suffice to say, a film like this is not without some disturbing imagery. All I can offer is to say that the brutality is not sensationalistic, and is important to complete the whole project. It might be one-sided, but it’s very difficult to give the other side any rfeal grounds for argument. Quite simply – it’s one of the best docs I’ve ever seen. Track it down.
This seemed to me to be a bit of Man On Wire (especially in terms of setup) meets the show Whale Wars. I liked it, and I definitely though it was hard hitting… just I'm someone who believes in a full sided view of a topic, and this one tilted so far I think it did a flip. Still, amazing documentary.
Nice write-up (as usual)! I have this on my Netflix queue, I am definitely intrigued by the topic at hand.
one of the best docs I've seen in years, Oscar gold seems assured…
Hi Hatter! I gave this one a glowing review as well (http://wp.me/pxXPC-WY), I was really affected by it and aside from the important cause, I thought it was very well done. Like you said, it's the crews' and of course Ric O'Barry's passion that really hit me, and the disturbing imagery is crucial to be left out because the facts are indeed disturbing. I sure hope it wins an Oscar this year!
I've seen several trailers for this. Every time, I say under my breath, "No way. I'll never make it through that movie."
I saw Sharkwater in theatre and cried. A lot. I've actually been swimming with dolphins (quite by chance, not one of those cruel tourist set-ups; we just happened to have a pod come and entertain us while on vacation in Santa Barbara, and it was SURREAL). If I cried that hard over sharks, one has to wonder what seeing The Cove would do to me.
I'm not one who generally shrinks away from film because I'm a wimp. I believe we SHOULD have to watch horrible things sometimes, as the last we can do, being human and privileged and all. But this one just…hits me funny. As much as I would love to see it, I can honestly say I'd probably get through 20 minutes before having to shut it off and go rock back and forth in the corner.
@Ehch,
I quite frequently have my husband censor movies for me if I think there might be animal cruelty that could leave me traumatized. He'll see it first and let me know if I can give it a watch.
I really wanted to see The Cove, but as usual I left Hatter alone for the first viewing. But I could hear the movie in the next room and couldn't resist joining in. BIG MISTAKE.
When I sensed something bad about to happen, I ran from the room, and even had to ask Hatter to turn the volume down because I was so upset at what I was hearing!!
I'm sure it's a brilliant movie…I kind of sad that I can't watch it!
Mrs. Hatter
@ Univarn… Amazing indeed. Can't say I've ever seen Whale Wars though.
@ Drehar… Can't wait to read your inevitable post about it!
@ Big Mike… I haven't even seen three of the four docs, but the dual story of this one seems to give it an edge.
@ RTM… haven't read your post quite yet, but I will shortly. For me there was one particular image in this film that was unforgettable…but I wouldn't dare give it away for those who haven't seen it yet.
(Perhaps I'll email you about the moment)
@ Ehch… I don't want to give too much away, but here's what I will say – you might well be able to get through most of the movie…but one moment in particular will kick the crap out of you.
Still – see it.
@ Lady Hatter… I'm bored of figure skating – can we watch LOST now?
@Mrs. (Lady!) Hatter – Thank you SO much for weighing in; I've been really back and forth about watching this movie, especially since your wise advisory… and…gah… I just hit the 'enter' button on Rogers On Demand, so it looks like I'm going to give it a go. But with your words in mind, I have my hand on the remote, and if it gets That Bad, I'm outta here. I'll be back with my take on it, if that would be of any use to you (and assuming I make it through!). The last time I saw a film that actually gave me butterflies (the BAD KIND) before even seeing the credits was a drama called "The War Zone," and nearly a year later I'm still haunted by that one (fiction, no less)…so we'll see how far I get into "The Cove" before freaking out. I'm just grateful to you for your opinion, 'cos it sounds like we might have issues with the same things in movies. :-\
@Hatter (Mister) – Okay. Taking a deep breath and jumping in. But I may follow Lady's advice and run from the room, particularly if there's one scene you can easily predict will fracture me. (I shall return with feedback re: Shutter Island and The Crazies, too, having seen them both this weekend.)
WISH ME LUCK.