A Deep Secret in Shallow Water’s
In 2009, Louie Psihoyos brought us a chilling documentary which covered an issue that many don’t even know still exists. Before Blackfish showed us the behavior of wildlife in captivity, Psihoyos revealed The Cove.
Psihoyos follows former renowned dolphin trainer and catcher Richard ‘Ric’ O’Barry as he has taken a new stance on these marvelous sea creatures and how they should be treated. O’Barry’s views changed as the original dolphin known as Flipper died in his arms and he knew then and there that these animals were not meant to be captured and used for profit.
After years of trying to free as many captured dolphins as he could around the world, O’Barry then learned of the horrors that were taking place in Taijii, Japan. Here, dolphins are reeled into a terrible trap where they are then sold alive for $150,000 apiece or dead/murdered for $6,000 apiece. The live ones can be seen from a spot on shore, but the ones that are murdered are taken to a cove that no outsider can get to with the level of security there is.
Psihoyos, O’Barry, and a group of activists they’ve composed attempt to try and sneak into restricted areas around the cove so they can reveal to the rest of the world what is really going on there.
Documentaries are always good for showing its audience what they normally wouldn’t see. And this film is no different. With disturbing images throughout and some unsettling truths about the world we live in, this film might just open a few eyes and allow people to see the bigger picture. There is also a good cast of people from Psihoyos and O’Barry to the folks trying to push them away (including a man known as Private Space). Some of the imagery may be too much from some viewers which might be enough to draw them away from this film. But if you think you can stomach the unthinkable realism of it, The Cove is a must see for any documentary fan.
Throwback Lesson: If you believe in a cause enough, fight for it. Don’t sit around expecting others to fight for it in your stead.
Roasted Ripper Score – A