Japanese Fishermen Say Painted as 'Sadists' in Oscar-Winner The Cove

A group of Japanese fishermen have broken their silence over a controversial annual dolphin kill that was the focus of the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove".

"In the film we are portrayed like a town of criminals," said Yoshiharu Kai, head of the Taiji Fishermen’s Union. "It’s an interesting film but it’s not a truthful film."

This week marked the first time representatives of the southwestern Japanese fishing village of Taiji have spoken to international media about the impact felt in their community after the release of "The Cove". 

The Louie Psihoyos-directed documentary caused an international uproar following its release in 2009.

The film takes an unflinching look at a practice that dates back 400 years, with close-up scenes of slaughter after dolphins are driven close in to shore, and of disputes between the fishermen and environmental protesters.

Highly publicized and widespread social and international condemnation of the kill followed the release of the film. Concerns were also raised over the methods used by the filmmakers to capture footage used, and about the film’s general depiction of Japanese people.

Taiji fishermen are responsible for the annual killing of a maximum of 2,000 dolphins out of the 20,000 allowed each year under Japanese law. At the time "The Cove" was being shot they had refused to speak to the filmmakers, with Kai saying Wednesday they had been unsure of their motives at the time.

The fishermen were then dismayed by the way they had been portrayed as "sadistic."

"We have lived side by side with these animals for hundreds of years," said Kai.

Kai is part of a delegation at the 21st Busan International Film festival that includes the mayor of Taiji, Kazutaka Sangen, as well as filmmaker Megumi Sasaki. Her documentary "A Whale of a Tale" has made its world premiere at BIFF and revisits both events surrounding the making of the Oscar-winning film, and what has followed.

Sangen believes international reaction to "The Cove" was fueled by the "drive in" method the fishermen use to trap the dolphins, a method that brings the creatures close to the shore and is easily captured on film.

"Other town hunt them out to sea," said Sangen. "It seems that if people can’t see when animals are killed then there is no controversy. In our town children grow up dreaming of becoming a whaler.

"But the world has changed. We know seeing the slaughter of any animal is not a good thing. We understand these sensitivities now."

The New York-based Sasaki’s film takes a measured approach to the major players on both sides of the controversy and was aimed, the director said, to both place the practice of the annual kill into historical and cultural context while encouraging dialogue between the opposing sides on the modern issues being raised.

"I’ve lived in the States for almost 30 years and what struck me the most is that there is no counter argument about this," said Sasaki. "There is no voice heard from Japan. It is such a touchy, very sensitive subject but I thought why aren’t the Japanese saying something?"

Sasaki told AFP she knew she would be courting controversy by making her documentary but that said she felt it was important to present "both sides of the argument."

"'The Cove' was really well made but there are many misconceptions about whaling and the town and the people," she said.

"It is such a powerful film and as a Japanese filmmaker living in the United States I understand the other view and I know where it is coming from. But I think the world should know there is another voice, which we have never heard, in the [western] world. I’m not trying to say what’s right or wrong. I want the audience to think and feel and decide."

"A Whale of a Tale" is in the running for the top prize for documentaries at BIFF, with award winners announced when the festival draws to a close on Saturday.