“Westerners kill and eat cows. Easterners eat dolphins. What’s the difference?” And if you have a big reaction to that, ask yourself if you’re a Westerner.
I watched The Cove last night. It’s a documentary about a covert film crew getting the gritty details on dolphin slaughter in the picaresque village of Taiji in Japan. The filmmakers claim that the Japanese are killing 23 000 dolphins annually. Taiji is their example of brutality. Trust me, all of you will be moved by the culminating bloodbath (just view the pics below and then imagine adding the recorded “screaming” of dying dolphins).
I have no doubt that there is sickness in humans but it’s too easy for us to fall under the onslaught of great documentaries that require our rage and sadness rather than thought. Never believe what you’re told but instead use it as a base for research. Filmmakers have their agendas too (hell, Michael Moore has often played with the truth). And films are financed by even bigger agendas. In a capitalist world it is extremely difficult to find a purist.
As for these creatures themselves, i was deeply moved but i’m reminded of one of the most vicious poems i wrote where i used the line, “I’m wicked in the way that dolphins are.” Male dolphins have been known to kidnap and rape a female for days on end. Dolphins sometimes kill porpoises for fun. If anything, if we’re to identify with them it could be for the fact that they are too much like us.
Nevertheless, great movie! Think for yourself but be sure to watch it! For those living in my village of Knysna, you can find it at Urban DVD.
