The Cove works like a well crafted thriller, positioning a group of dolphin loving do-gooders against an evil (dolphin)blood thirsty government. But it’s important to remember that it’s not a thriller. It’s a documentary, and one with so much suspense and subjectivity that it’s hard not to feel like propaganda. Especially when the final title reads: “This film was brought to you by the Oceanic Preservation Society.” It’s disguised as guerilla journalism and the work of a small group of passionate conservationists, but the reality is it is the product of a much larger (albeit good natured) group with a very specific agenda.
I also have a huge problem with the way the film portrays Japanese people. It posits the Japanese as the enemies and is another example of Hollywood suggesting that a group of white men can come in and do what a whole nation could not (see my post about Ridley Scott’s “Black Rain”). It also fails to discuss what would happen to the economy of Taiji and other fishing communities should the practice be totally abolished. I certainly think it should be, but what are the adverse repercussions?
With all that said, the practice that the film exposes is horrifying. The images of what happens in the cove are chilling, and does call the viewer to action.
