Film Lens
Behind 'The Cove' is a 2015 documentary directed by Keiko Yagi that presents the perspectives of both sides of the international whaling debate, particularly focusing on Taiji, Japan. The film responds to the 2009 documentary The Cove, which criticized Japan's whaling practices. Yagi investigates the motivations behind the criticism of Japan's whaling, especially after the International Court of Justice ordered Japan to cease its Antarctic whaling program on March 31, 2014.
Over four months, Yagi interviews various individuals connected to The Cove, including its director and residents of Taiji. The film aims to provide a platform for the voices of those in Taiji, reflecting their concerns about cultural traditions and the impact of international pressure on their practices.
Why Watch
- •Meet Taiji residents defending their whaling traditions.
- •See interviews with key figures from The Cove.
- •Find out about Japan's whaling history and cultural significance.
Did You Know
•The International Court of Justice ordered Japan to stop whaling on March 31, 2014.
•Keiko Yagi spent four months interviewing people in Taiji for the film.
•The film received a mostly negative response from Western critics.
•Behind 'The Cove' is the first film responding to The Cove from 2009.
Perfect For
Whaling debatesCultural traditionsDocumentary critiques