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The Cove
2009 92 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★8.8
Documentary
Director: Louie Psihoyos
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
The Cove tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of individuals, films makers and free divers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate the hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The shocking discoveries were only the tip of the iceberg.
US Gross:
$857,005
Worldwide:
$1.16M
Starring
Richard O'Barry
Actor
Louie Psihoyos
Actor
Hardy Jones
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2010
— Best Documentary Feature
Sundance Film Festival 2009
— Audience Award – Documentary
Sundance Film Festival 2009
— Grand Jury Prize (Documentary)
Key opinion
The Cove is widely regarded as a harrowing and essential documentary that uses a high-stakes, thriller-like approach to expose the brutal practice of dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan. While some critics argue that the film occasionally oversimplifies complex cultural issues or raises questions about selective empathy regarding animal consumption, it is almost universally praised for its powerful emotional impact and success in galvanizing public activism.
| Direction | The film utilizes an effective, high-tension heist-style narrative to reveal the hidden realities of the Taiji dolphin hunts. | |
| Emotion | The documentary succeeds as a potent call to action, prompting viewers to sign petitions and advocate for animal welfare. | |
| Emotion | The film is deeply unsettling, using graphic and blunt imagery to challenge the viewer's moral comfort. | |
| Theme | Critics are divided on the film's scope: some feel it provides a necessary, focused awakening, while others argue it relies on a simplistic approach that lacks broader historical context and ignores the irony of selective animal empathy. |