PennacchiaFilmAnnotation7

Andrew Pennacchia Film Annotation # 7


 * 1. Film: ****The Cove **
 * Director: ** Louie Psihoyos
 * Release Year: ** 2009

The central narrative of the film is set out to uncover the hidden truth's behind Japan's dolphin hunting culture. The main character in the film is Rick O'Barry, who was a dolphin trainer responsible for capturing and training the dolphins form the television series “Flipper”. After O'Barry realized that dolphins were amazing creatures that should never be in captivity, he sets out with a specialized team of activists, sound and camera experts, marine explorers, adrenaline junkies and free divers in order to expose the mass killing of dolphins in Japan, and educate the viewer about the significant health risks of mercury poisoning from dolphin meat.
 * 2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film? **

The narrative of the film is sustained by focusing the conservation efforts of the group of specialists to a town in Japan called Taiji, where the dolphin hunting drive kills close to 23,000 dolphins and porpoises every year. The migrating dolphins are herded by Japanese fisherman into a cove in Taiji, where they are netted and brutally killed. The demand for dolphins are fueled by the multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry, as well as the underground market for dolphin meat, which is often not labeled as dolphin, and poses serious health risks for consumers who are at risk of mercury poisoning. The main objective of the film is to somehow view or film the dolphin killing in the isolated cove, which is extremely difficult, as it is blocked by barbed wire fences, and fisherman and locals who keep visitors away through open intimidation and fear. Not much scientific evidence is provided as the main objective of the film is to bring public awareness to the dolphin killing in Japan. There is most definitely a strong emotional appeal in the film, as the specialized team attempts the undercover operation of filming the cove, which brings suspense and thrill to the viewer. The images and video footage that is shown from the operation is also very emotional, as it shows the capturing and physical killing of dolphins by the fisherman.
 * 3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal? **

The film attempts to uncover the mass killing of dolphins which has become part of the normal culture in the small town of Taiji, Japan. The film also addresses the human health risks of consuming dolphin meat, which may consist of large amounts of mercury.
 * 4. What sustainability problems does the film draw out? Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational? Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological? **

The part of the film that I found most compelling was the lengths of which the local Taiji people and fisherman went to protect the cove from being viewed. They knew that what they were doing was wrong on many counts, however the risk of losing the income of the dolphin industry made them do almost anything to protect it.
 * 5. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why? **

The film was extremely successful in getting the main argument across to the viewer. I felt that I was compelled, or at least interested in just about every aspect of the film, mostly being that much of the information was new to me. However, after reading some reviews of the film, some argue that the film has made the argument that the Japanese are killing “cute dolphins”, but American kill and eat cows. Therefore, some feel that the film is completely one sided.
 * 6. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why? **

This film best addresses all audiences who are mature enough to see some gruesome images and video footage involving the killing of dolphins. The film addresses many conservational and environmental issues in Japanese culture, and may be especially important for the film to be viewed in Japan, where many citizens are unaware of the mass dolphin killings.
 * 7. What audiences does the film best address? Why? **

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The film could have included more information about what the viewers can do to help with the issue. Much of the film was dedicated to uncovering the details of what takes place in Japan, however it could have used more information regarding the next step in solving the issue, and what people can do to help.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">8. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value? **

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The kind of action suggested by the film are try to spread awareness of the film. I feel that it could have used more specific actions, such as who to speak to in order to get involved, and how to keep up to date on the development of the situation.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">9. What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective. **

The film has compelled me to seek out more information regarding Japan's reaction to the issues brought up in the film. The film was first publicly screened in Tokyo in 2009, which came as a shock to some Japanese people, however many did not seem to care. The articles below describe the reaction in Japan to the screening of the film in Tokyo, as well as the debate of the issues presented in the cove from a Japanese perspective.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">10. What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references. **

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