On May 5, Tampa Bay gets the chance to meet Ric O'Barry, the Flipper trainer turned dolphin defender featured prominently in The Cove, the powerful documentary about the capture and slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. He'll be here for a special screening of the film at Muvico Baywalk to raise funds for the Oceanic Preservation Society, which will help O'Barry continue his work saving dolphins. CL talked with O'Barry about the current situation in Tajii, the film's 2010 Academy Award for best feature documentary — and the now-notorious Oscar moment when The Cove producers' acceptance speeches were cut off after O'Barry hoisted a sign urging viewers to "TEXT DOLPHIN to 44144."
Kevin Hopp: Do you think The Cove succeeded in getting its message out?
Ric O'Barry: No, it really needs to get to the Japanese people. There are 126 million who haven't seen The Cove yet. On the Internet today, there is a 15-minute version, and the producers are going to play the film in 26 theaters in Japan in June.
I heard a U.S. military base near Taiji will not be showing The Cove. What did you think about that?
It's unfair, they have a right to see this movie, and it's denied by some, and that's why this problem has been around so long, because they don't know about it. We're having a problem with certain people protesting the movie, and threatening people's families. [The film] is not Japan-bashing in any way, and people have a right to see it, but people are trying to stop us.
I had heard that Taiji would be stopping the hunt. Is this true?
They stopped it in September when we were there with a busload of journalists. So, this year, we are trying to get celebrities, including Daryl Hannah, to go on September 1 and hold it off as long as we can hold it off.
Hayden Panettiere, who made an appearance in The Cove, is trying to meet with International Whaling Commission members. Do you think that will have any effect?
I don't know Hayden very well, but I don't have much faith in the IWC.
Congratulations on The Cove winning the Oscar. But what happened when you put the sign up?
Well, I was able to get the message out, and there are almost a billion signatures now, so it worked.
So clearly it got a big response.
It's not a protest sign, it's just allowing people access to information, and there's no charge. That's what happens when you put an activist on the stage. I mean, what do you expect?
When you went back to Taiji, was it safer [for you and your crew], since The Cove is really popular, or is it getting worse?
It's getting worse, every time I go back, it's progressively more dangerous. The potential for violence rises.
Do you think your next visit will end the hunt for good?
No, the Japanese people need to step up so we can step down. It's starting to happen, and it will happen more when the movie gets into theaters.
Did the mercury problem with dolphin meat referred to in the film get better in Japan?
No, it got covered up. History repeats itself, and the government covered it up.
The Cove & Ric O'Barry: Wed. May 5. Pre-Screening Reception with Richard O'Barry at hermanHOME, BayWalk, 6-7:30 p.m. Screening of The Cove followed by a post-screening Q&A, Muvico BayWalk, 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets $20 at ILoveTheBurg.com or $25 at the door. Includes access to pre-screening reception (tapas, desserts and wine) and film screening. 100% of profits from ticket sales will be donated to the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS). For more on O'Barry's cause, visit SaveJapanDolphins.org.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 4, 2010.