There's a small town in Japan called Taiji, and within it lies the Cove, a place where a shocking number—23,000—dolphins are killed annually. The process isn’t simply killing; it involves a brutal slaughter that occurs largely out of public view. I was aware that dolphins sometimes get caught unintentionally when tuna is being fished, but I hadn't realized people actively hunted them for food. To me, dolphins, like other whales, seem too remarkable and enigmatic to be slaughtered in the same way as livestock. And according to this film, consuming them can even be risky due to high mercury levels. This documentary centers on a specific event—the slaughter itself. We witness how the filmmakers set up cameras under cover of darkness, surveyed the location, and meticulously planned everything. What’s particularly compelling is meeting Ric O'Barry, an original actor and trainer from *Flipper*, who now dedicates his life to ending dolphin abuse. Having been involved in capturing dolphins for that show, he feels personally accountable for this situation, even acknowledging it likely would have occurred regardless. You can sense his regret. As a documentary, the film is skillfully crafted; it resembles a movie in its construction but avoids excessive sentimentality, with one exception: the poignant final scene where Ric shares his story with the world through a screen on his stomach. Ultimately, I wouldn’t consider myself a huge dolphin advocate, but this film affected me because the whole thing feels so unnecessary. While I don't believe dolphins face extinction, they are fascinating creatures that may hold valuable lessons for us, and therefore warrant more respectful treatment.

Source on TMDB