If "The Cove" is ever shown in cinemas in Japan, will you go to see it, or see it on DVD? If you've already seen it, what did you think of it?

No, its made by an anti whaling campaigner...of course he is going to show some stuff that supports him and his anti whaling buddies.

@Katsuro1000 So, time to make a pro-whaling and 'dolphin-ing' film to balance things out, right?

Three questions in two...for the purpose of one. Better off streaming it on Megavideo....

I saw it anmd it made me cry. The people involved in murdering the dolphins were shown to be horrid and ghastly. They tried ti intimidate the film makers with thereats and the awful police did not stop them.

The killing of the dolphins was terribly barbaric and beastly. It makes Japan look like a horrid 3rd world country. It is a shame evil right wing criminals are stopping normal people seeing the film.

I have no interest in seeing it at all. Not my idea of an enjoyable night out at the movies after work or on a weekend.

I watched it and I think it is not that bad. Sure, it is very one-sided and sometimes seems more like an action movie but the main message comes across. I don't necessarily mind the killing of dolphins if it was necessary for the food supply or if it just tasted great. Whale meat tastes good, so I don't see why they can't eat those whales that are not endangered. Dolphins are not really endangered at the moment.

What I don't like is that the killing is done in a quite disgusting way, where there should be other ways to do it. Plus, many of the dolphins are just caught to be sold to aquariums around the world, which is something I don't like. The main concern however is the mercury level of such meat. It just can't be healthy in the long-run and I would not want my children to eat dolphin meat. Overall, the movie could be more balanced but it is an insult to the Japanese people to think that they could not judge by themselves. They should show it, whatever happened to freedom of speech?

Lets show it in the schools for all the little kiddies to see what the folks do to those cute little dolphins. No...better not. Lets put this in the 'never happened' file along with a pile of historical events.

I probably will never see this movie just because the way my aunt told me about it. She said ''Have you seen the cove yet? It shows how brutal those Japanese people are to dolphins. Dont you like dolphins anymore? You should be over there trying to stop them like the people in the movie.'' I can see how one sided it really is already. I want to see films that are a little more balanced on issues like this.

sakuala, how can you say how one sided a film is without seeing it dear? The mind boggles!

The film is a single perspective and does paint a pretty ugly picture of the dolphin hunt, Taiji and the attempted cover-ups by the J-gov. However, the people who seem to take the opinion that the film is J-bashing malarkey are just having a hard time accepting the truth from an outside perspective. I'm also amused by all the "propaganda" comments. The only propaganda is the negative rumors being spread by people who have not seen it.

A film about outsiders coming to Japan to tell the Japanese to stop slaughtering non-endangered species in their own backyard and how hard it is to imagine why these japanese are hostile to them. All they are telling them to do is to stop doing what they've been doing for years!! What's wrong with that? It really is a propaganda film.

As much as I hate to see these animals killed, I can't go to a country and tell them to stop doing it because I don't like it. These "filmmakers" are nothing more than Michael Moore wannabes for the PETA, anti-whaling crowd. But I'd love to see it just to see how hard they try to make themselves look the saviours of the world and the Japanese the evil Sith. Pathetic film if you ask me.

I'll take the kids and feast on whale meat beforehand after a day out at the aquarium. It should be a blast!

I can tell how one sided it is by the way that people have been responding to it abroad. My aunts comments for one do not mention a) mercury levels of dolphin meat b) dolphins for sale at the aquarium or c) the common decency to understand that not all people in Japan are out killing dolphins everyday. She is usually very level headed but the impact it had on her showed me that many people will take it as Japanese being evil.

mikehuntez - A film about outsiders coming to Japan to tell the Japanese to stop slaughtering non-endangered species in their own backyard. It really is a propaganda film.

The only 'propaganda' that opening statement. The makers of this 'documentary' did not 'tell' the Japanese to do anything. The documentary is a true perspective of the way the dolphins are killed, the attitudes of the locals and the cover-ups by the government. There are no re-enacted or dramatized scenes, computer enhancements, exaggerations or lies. It is a true depiction of the events taken from Ric O'Barry's perspective in his efforts to show an event that the world has a right to see (all Japan included). When you see it you will know why they tried so hard to cover it up. Sadly, a lot of the footage and some of the events are so shockingly true people don't want to believe it. However, it is in no way, shape or form 'propaganda'. It is a 'perspective view' of a somewhat disturbing practice and even more disturbing governmental policies.

Because Taijiites eat dolphins, they catch and kill dolphins. It is so simple. What's wrong?

regenbogenland: What I don't like is that the killing is done in a quite disgusting way, where there should be other ways to do it. Plus, many of the dolphins are just caught to be sold to aquariums around the world, which is something I don't like.

Yes, it is a quite disgusting way to kill those dolphins. I think it is wrong. Taijiites should go for a Humane Method.

btw, I am not convinced with the explanations given about the "Mercury stuffs" in the movie. Just interviewing few fellaws saying "Oh yes, it is not good for health. We/They should stop eating." Could have tried with better explanation and medical facts. Also some better statistics from all over the world.

Moderator: Please answer the question.

The Japanese people who were in the movie did not know that they were in a movie. It was like watching the show "Smile, You're on Candid Camera" or like a reality show. The people who were video taping were being all secretive. The film was done underhanded.

The film would have been accepted if the Taiji people were in on the secrete in the beginning instead of making them look like fools. You are not going to get a warm welcome without involving the people who are at the center of the debate to help educate others about mercury toxic in dolphin meats.

ChrisBiggins Do you cry at EVERYTHING?

I'm not going to watch it. Looks boring and all the whale-huggers are going wild about it so... well... there you go.

Just wanted to ask if anyone knows: the same thing goes on in the Pharoe Islands and other places. Why did they choose Japan? Is it only about what goes on in Taiji?

I might watch it if it get shown on cable, not going to pay money for it.

Agree with the above poster Japan is not the only place where dolphin is consumed.

All my japanese friends have known about the movie(& Dolphin Hunt) for a long time but are not interested in seeing it as there is nothing really new there.

Still recall seeing reports on japanese news-programs about the dolphin hunt and later(years) on about the shooting of the film.

Just my view.

Like I've said before I've seen this movie on tv and it was complete propaganda. I mean hey they say in the movie that no one wants to eat dolphin so they give to school kids for FREE. They want me to think they kill dolphins for fun lol

ChrisBiggins

Yes, I know they've saved people from drowning. So what? Did you know there have been reports of dolphins ATTACKING people?

Moderator: The topic is whether or not you intend to see "The Cove."

It is a 'perspective view' of a somewhat disturbing practice and even more disturbing governmental policies.

It's a perspective view of an outsider trying to change a way that they have been killing dolphins for years.

@ChrisBiggins-I too, love dolphins. However, Taiji is Taiji. Why, as an outsider (not of Taiji) am I expected to change thier traditions.

As for the topic, I plan to see it at one point or another. Will it change me...no. Willl I ever eat dolphin...no. Never had the craving for it. Will I look down on Taiji?...no. It's thier traditions. Will I look at the 'bashers' different;ly?...No. they have every right to voice thier opinions. But they don'r have the right to change a tradidition, nor decide what is right or wrong for the universe based on thier own beliefs.

No I will not see h film at any cost. I do not lik to see any living being sufrig like that. As for the Taiji people, this is something that they have been doing for their livelihood. Anyway, where is the respect for other human beings?

It was bloody awful.

I've already seen it via download last year. I thought it was interesting. Yes, one-sided but the local government and citizens were offered time to give their side of the story. The crew didn't storm in demanding the locals change their ways. At least not for this film.

I'm going, if we're ever offered the opportunity to view an Oscar-winning film and make up our own minds about it.

Trouble is, it looks like the powers that be don't trust us to reach the right decision when given the information.

Don't look at that, don't think about it. Japan Bashing, poor lickle japan, aww boo hoo.

Grow up. Face criticism like adults, not like the kid in the park who takes his football home when he starts losing.

I will not see the film, either in the cinema or on DVD. Hollywood 'action movies' full of made-up blood and gore are bad enough, I don't have the stomach to sit through the real thing.

That said, I think the right-wing extremists trying to stop the film being screened (and unfortunately succeeding) insult the intelligence and sensibilities of the Japanese people far more than any anti-hunt activists could ever do. Let the film be screened, let those who want to see it, see it, and make up their own minds.

I have seen it, but want to take my friends to the cinema and see it again if it's shown. There's nothing in the movie that demonize Japanese people. Ric and others say that this is done by small minority of people, most Japanese don't even know it's happeneing. It's no way attacking Japan and culture, it's uncovering a fact that is being hidden. Japanese people have a right to know and decide themselves if the purpose of this movie is Japan bashing, or is it being filmed by true nature lovers to expose killing of these magnificent creatures.

Dont confuse an Oscar winning film with a good film..this movie has absolute zero interest for me

No. I find the subject uninteresting.

I've lived in Japan for 20 years, have seen the film, and have even eaten whale meat bought from our local supermarket. I have to say the film was an eye-opener. As Damien15 said, most Japanese really don't know (and don't care) that it goes on. The film was not intended to bash Japan, just to document facts, so that we can all come to our own conclusions.

I have seen it on DVD (thanks to Amazon!) I was glad to have had a chance to see it for myself. As long as a film is not morally repugnant -- and this one is not -- I don't want anyone to deny me the right to see a film for myself.

My dictionary defines "propaganda" as "the promotion of particular ideas, doctrines, practices, etc. to further one's own cause or to damage an opposing one"; a subsequent definition of the word says the word is "used disparagingly to connote deception or distortion." On the former count the film qualifies as such; on the latter count, I tend to think not. I am very aware of the tricks of the filmmaking trade that can be used to manipulate a viewer's opinion, and if the film had approached the topic from only one angle I might be more skeptical. However, the film examines the issue from different perspectives, and enough people connected with the industry leave themselves so much rope it's quite easy to fashion a noose for them.

Regardless of one's opinion of dolphin hunting, I think it's incumbent upon everyone who attacks or defends the practice to watch the film ... at least everyone would know what the film is about, rather than starting from a point of either hearsay or ignorance.

Just saw it after all these comments...really an uninteresting movie. Just about fell asleep at one point. Put in a little cute music, pics of Flipper, and you get a following. If they are on the endangered list, then we have an issue. Until then, dolphin and whale "katsu" all round the table.

I have already seen the movie and own the DVD. I would go again at the cinema in order to give the makers financial support but it would definitely be depressing to watch it again. I'm really disappointed about the screening cancellations in Tokyo. It's not just the killing of the dolphins that's bad but the sale of wild dolphins prior to the slaughter that people need to be aware of. A good reason not to go to aquariums. Can't we just appreciate sometimes that the animals are out there somewhere without having to cage it for our leisure? Also, as a vegetarian, I think I can oppose the events in Taiji without being guilty of double standards. And on the "culture" front - since when does something being cultural mean it's untouchable? Plenty of "cultural" practices have been stopped because we now know that they are morally wrong or cruel..etc But I suppose those people think bull-fighting is ok too. If you're truly an open-minded person, you'll see the film too so you can make up your mind with input from both sides.

Why, is something wrong with killing dolphins?

Perhaps the East should impose our values on the West instead, see how they like it.

Something's wrong with killing any animal in the such a manner. And xuanzhang, there are plenty of westerners who don't care about such issues so don't try to say that this about east vs. west. Sounds like you haven't seen the movie, otherwise you might see that it's not about attacking the 'east' and imposing values on them.

I want to see it. I've seen trailers for it. I've seen the Taiji people depicted as hostile. What were they hostile to? To medling foreigners on surfboards trying to disrupt their hunt. This is their tradition and these people from outside come in to force them to stop. So what do they expect? The people of Taiji to be loving and caring for them coming from so far away to impose their values on them the poor ignorant people of Taiji? If you belittle someone as such don't expect any respect from them. There are advertisements that say "Please help stop this blah blah blah..." So it is propaganda aimed at stopping the hunt. And I don't believe for a minute that these anti hunt protesters are doing it because they care for the health of the people who eat such meat. That is a load of crap. And it is not being forced on people and force fed to children. They make it sound as if they are saving children from something so horrid. Well go help the poor children of Africa if you care so bloody much!! xuanzhang is right. If the East tried to impose some of their values on these spoiled westerners we'd hear how racist these easterners are. What a bunch of hypocrites these people are. Enjoy your salad vegans but don't get in the way of other people's choice in food.

My mate said that this is the sequel to Di Caprio's The Beach. Is this true? I know the shark attack in The Beach was pretty horrific. How bad can an attack by dolphins be?

The thing that alarmed me most from the film was the corruption and governmental cover-ups of the high levels of mercury in the meat and their plans to supply it to schools across the country. Otis also alarming that the tainted dolphin meat is labeled as whale and sold as such. Whale meat is actually quite wholesome from the non-toothed whales, but the meat from toothed whales and dolphins has 20 times more mercury than the accepted safe level on Japanese standards, yet it is distributed freely and sold as yummy whale meat. People complain about the morals of the Ric O'Barry crew? How about the morals of a government trying cover-up and push poisoned meat onto it's people? I don't want my kids eating this garbage and without the efforts of people like Ric O'Barry they would continue to serve this poison as wholesome food. The documentary show's a somewhat cruel dolphin killing practice, which is disturbing to many people, but it is in no way the most distressing point of the documentary for those living in Japan with kids..

mikehuntez - it's good that you want to exercise your right to see the movie.

But you sure make a lot of torrid statements and assumptions prior to your viewing.

Please post again after viewing to support your arguments.

Nationalism is so ugly, easily the most depressing and unpleasant aspect of Japan. No, I won't see the film, but only because I don't have the stomach for it.

smartacus at 07:49 AM JST - 8th June

I have no interest in seeing it at all. Not my idea of an enjoyable night out at the movies after work or on a weekend.

May I recommend a juggler? MrDog at 02:25 PM JST - 8th June

I'm not going to watch it. Looks boring and all the whale-huggers are going wild about it so

Monster trucks anyone?

TigerDragon at 02:45 PM JST - 8th June

no one wants to eat dolphin so they give to school kids for FREE. They want me to think they kill dolphins for fun lol

Killing dolphins? Any brain-dead-tv-fed-ape can take a stance on that.... but knowingly feeding kids poisoned "meat"?....Whoever sees that as an ok thing to do should wear a helmet 24/7...

The Oscars are purely politically motivated when it comes to documentaries. The year "Winged Migration" was released, that fat guy that makes all those questionable documentaries won for some horrible propaganda piece.

As far as "The Cove" goes, I don't expect I'll see it, in theaters, on DVD, ever. Zero interest.

fug4food at 02:40 PM JST - 9th June

Killing dolphins? Any brain-dead-tv-fed-ape can take a stance on that.... but knowingly feeding kids poisoned "meat"?....Whoever sees that as an ok thing to do should wear a helmet 24/7...

Its apparent that you have not seen the movie....in it they state that not only Dolphins have mercury poison but all fish (while showing some Japanese man cutting some sushi). While watching this you feel as if they hate the Japanese consumption of any type of fish. Also people eat Dolphin get over it.

TigerDragon at 05:00 PM JST - 9th June

Its apparent that you have not seen the movie....in it they state that not only Dolphins have mercury poison but all fish (while showing some Japanese man cutting some sushi).

You assume a lot... nobody denies(not even me) the presence of mercury in fish...As i have studied in grade 7, and seen in the movie, the mercury level in dolphins or any sea mammals higher up the food chain is reaching near toxic levels. Also,

While watching this you feel as if they hate the Japanese consumption of any type of fish

Really? You're too emotional pal.

Was like watching a grisly version of "Flipper". Unpleasant movie and even more silly and hysterical reasction to it in Japan.

I was intrigued at the stance on mercury and fish and dolphins. Maybe eating too much mercury is why Japan hasd languished for so long and birth rate is down? They say too much lead did for the Roman empire?

I think I would get it in DVD, since I don't have a chance to go back to Japan and watch the film.

xuanzhang: "Why, is something wrong with killing dolphins?"

It's how they kill them that the film is trying to expose here.

"The Cove" is spy cam. It got academy. Are you OK,American?