USA: Dolphins, Monks, Migrants Aided By Oscar's Long Arm

01-Mar-10

Documentary filmmakers are accustomed to preaching to a choir of mostly small-sized audiences who see their issue-driven films. But nominees for the March 7 Oscars, who don't attract the controversy of a Michael Moore or the pull of Al Gore, say their nonfiction films are still reaching new eyes and a few powerful decision makers months after hitting theaters.

Issues covered in the nonfiction films include the slaughter of dolphins in Japan in "The Cove,"(...)

"The Cove" shows Japanese fisherman luring dolphins into a hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, where activists say they are captured for marine amusement parks or slaughtered for food. Initially, Japanese politicians and residents spoke out against the film, saying the hunts were a cherished tradition. But after much media attention in 2009, "The Cove" finally landed a Japanese distributor....

Source: Dolphins, Monks, Migrants Aided By Oscar's Long Arm