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The Cove - the truth is out
The Marine Connection is delighted with public and press reactions so far to 'The Cove' - the film released in the UK on 23 October which exposes the truth about the international dolphin capture and trade practiced in Taiji, Japan during the annual drive hunts.
The film follows Ric O'Barry, who was the worlds' leading authority on dolphin training working on the set of the popular television program Flipper. Day in and day out, O'Barry kept the dolphins working and television audiences smiling. But one day that all came to a tragic end. THE COVE, directed by Louie Psihoyos, tells the amazing true story of how Psihoyos, O'Barry and an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The mysteries they uncovered were only the tip of the iceberg. O'Barry and his team infiltrate the secret bay where the dolphin population is cruelly controlled, out of sight of Japanese citizens and media.
Richard O'Barry worked for 10 years within the dolphin captivity industry, and for the past 38 against it. When Kathy, the dolphin who most frequently played the 'Flipper' dolphin died in his arms, O'Barry realized that capturing dolphins and training them to perform demeaning tricks is simply wrong. From that moment on, O'Barry knew what he must do with his life and has since then rescued and released more than 25 captive dolphins in Haiti, Colombia and Guatemala. With over 45 years of experience with dolphins and his first hand knowledge about the methods used to capture and train them, O'Barry has travelled worldwide, participating in lectures and conferences about the controversial dolphin captivity issue.
Marine Connection director Margaux Dodds comments; "I have worked with Ric for many years on issues including the drive hunts in Japan. His tireless commitment to ending this trade, despite threats to the safety of himself and his family is highly commendable. In Ric we find a true dolphin defender who, from experience, truly believes these intelligent mammals do not belong in captivity - now the truth can no longer be denied by Japan and I urge everyone to see this movie."
The Cove is the winner of 12 awards including the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, Sydney Film Festival Audience Award, Seattle International Film Festival and most recently Best Feature Documentary at the Galway Film Festival.
Don't miss The Cove at a cinema near you and see what Japan has tried so hard to keep secret for so long.
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