The Cove (2009)

Synopsis:
The Cove is a 2009 documentary film of the purported annual killing of about 2,300 dolphins in a National Park at Taiji, Wakayama in Japan. The film highlights that this is about three times the amount of whales killed in the Antarctic, and purports that 23,000 dolphins and porpoises are killed in Japan every year. The migrating dolphins are herded into a hidden cove where they are netted and killed by means of spears and knives over the side of small fishing boats. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan's most recent progress report 1,569 cetaceans in Taiji were killed during the 2007 season, including methods other than drive hunting. A total of 13,080 cetaceans were killed throughout Japan in 2007. Only 1,239 cetaceans were killed by drive hunting.

The film was directed by former National Geographic photographer Louie Psihoyos, and portions were filmed secretly during 2007 using underwater microphones and high-definition cameras disguised as rocks.

The documentary won the U.S. Audience Award at the 25th annual Sundance Film Festival in January 2009. It was selected out of the 879 submissions in the category.

Furthermore, The Cove has been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination at the 2010 82nd Academy Awards. It is up against 14 other films competing for five open slots for Best Documentary Feature.

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