I have a personal connection to the documentary The Cove. Besides having immediate empathy for the filmmakers and the subject after seeing the film, I've also twice had the privilege of interviewing director Louis Psihoyos and star and famed dolphin-trainer Richard O'Barry. When you talk to these guys, you can't help but sympathize.
On both occasions, our talks turned to getting the message out to the Japanese people — the only ones who can stop the horrible slaughter of dolphins depicted in the movie — and how hard the filmmakers were working to get the film released there.
It looked as if that was finally going to happen when it was announced The Cove would be in Japanese theaters on June 26. But after strong "right-wing opposition" and several death threats, the movie's release has been canceled by the theater, marking a major setback for the filmmakers.
This article appears in Jun 10-16, 2010.