Heyo, SuperForesters!
It goes without saying that Ric O’Barry and his Save Japan Dolphins Coalition have gone through a roller coaster of a ride in regards to The Cove documentary and their brave actions in an attempt to stop the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. But as of late, it seems the news they are reporting is increasingly getting more and more positive. And we couldn’t be happier!
On October 21, 2009 (yesterday), The Cove was screened for the first time in Japan at their Tokyo International Film Festival! And as if this wasn’t reason enough to celebrate, director Louie Psihoyos was there (despite the fact that there is a warrant for his arrest) and when he arrived at the Tokyo airport, he pledged to give the town of Taiji profits from any Japanese screening of the film — if the town of Taiji ends the hunt. In addition, he offered to show The Cove movie for free in Taiji, to give the townspeople and local authorities the opportunity to personally judge the merits and accuracy of the film.
Here is a bit of a recent interview he gave Take Part after the Japan screening of the film:
Carolyn Sams: How did The Cove debut at the film festival? What was everyone’s reaction?
Louie Psihoyos: Amazing – and scary. Everyone was in the audience – the mayor of Taiji, Private Space, Komatsu (IWC delegate), along with several suits I imagine were their lawyers. It was a tough crowd to say the least – the exact opposite of preaching to the choir. I was talking to people who were in the movie and to people who had no idea this was happening. For those who had never heard about it, they asked what they could to do help. It really gave me hope that there is a possibility for change. People were really moved, and I heard a lot of clapping.
CS:Was there any negative reaction in the theater?
LP: The mayor of Taiji actually walked out. I think he was too emotional, especially because the audience was reacting favorably to us.
CS: How did it feel to screen to people that are actually in the film?
LP: It was more difficult than making the movie. You’ve made it and now you have to look into the eyes of the people who are doing something horrible. It was honestly one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. But in the end, it was good to face down the people accusing me face to face.
CS: You actually answered questions after the movie to festival goers. How did that Q&A go?
LP: I think there’s definitely a different expectation between screening this to an audience in Japan and an American audience. Civil disobedience is not a part of their culture so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I got some great, really thoughtful questions and many people offering to help. And I also got some tough questions and there were skeptics of course. The skeptics wanted to focus on animal rights, but this isn’t just an animal rights issue. One guy asked me what scientific evidence exists that dolphins are more intelligent then any other animal – while there is plenty of documentation of this, that’s not the point and is ultimately an unwinnable argument.
It’s a human health issue also. And I wanted everyone in the theater to understand that. It’s a human rights film because people need to know that the levels of mercury is off-the-charts toxic. How can anyone argue that eating dolphins is the same as eating cows – dolphins are not safe for human consumption. I mean kids especially should not be eating this meat. I feel like, as a father, I’m giving people the information that the government isn’t.
CS: Is it true you will donate profits from distribution in Japan to the town of Taiji?
LP: Yes, I want people there to know this movie is a love letter and that we don’t want to see the city destroyed over this. We believe they can actually thrive. Any of the profits earned by OPS here in Japan will go to Taiji if they agree to stop the slaughter and using dolphins as entertainment. More money has been made in whale watching than whale hunting, so hopefully this is a way forward for the dolphin hunters.
Amazing!!! To see the way Psihoyos, O’Barry and friends are handling this disturbing and saddening issue with such poise, class, and positivity is something truly incredible to witness.
Cheers,
C
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