“I
want you guys all dead.”
“We’ll
rape you, monsters.”
“Let’s
hire a hitman.”
Which
organization’s followers do you think left these violent Facebook comments? It
wasn’t a skinhead group. It was Sea Shepherd, the extremist
environmental/animal rights organization that has made it their business to
harass and intimidate the residents of Taiji, the Japanese fishing village that
had the misfortune to appear in the manipulative documentary, The Cove. Although documentarian Megumi
Sasaki treats Sea Shepherd far more fairly than they treat the Taiji villagers,
their thuggish behavior speaks for itself in the scrupulously even-handed A Whale of a Tale (trailer here), which screens
during the 2017 Japan Cuts Festival of New Japanese Film in New York.
Given
its remote location and lack of fertile land, the ancient village of Taiji
probably would have starved without whaling (the term whale is often used
synonymously for dolphin in Japan). It is a tradition that has been handed down
to this very day. With foaming-at-the-mouth intensity, Sea Shepherd will equate
any appeal to tradition with Antebellum defenses of slavery. Yet, there is
indeed a distinct traditional regional cuisine, largely based on whale meat.
Ever
since The Cove won the Oscar, Taiji
has literally been under siege from western activists. Yes, whales and dolphins
are harvested in Taiji’s bay. Sometimes the resulting blood can be seen flowing
in the water. The fact remains, none of the whales and dolphins slaughtered for
food or captured for water parks and aquariums are endangered. None of them. Indeed,
the Taiji fisherman are dedicated conservationists, who take great efforts to
maintain sustainable whale populations.
None
of this irony is lost on Jay Alabaster, an American expat journalist fluent in
Japanese, who reported on the Taiji story at length and serves as the viewers
guide through the picturesque town and the contentious issues it faces. On some
levels, he sympathizes with the dolphins, but he can also see the human side of
the story. Taiji residents are good people who do not deserve to have Sea
Shepherd screaming “murderer” in their faces. At one point, we see an
unfortunate man crouching down, covering his head with his arms, as the Sea
Shepherd “activists” surround him, raining verbal abuse down on him.
Remember
that image. It accurately reflects the extremism of the modern day “green”
movement. It is not based on science, because none of the whales involved are
at risk. Rather, it is based on a luddite hatred of commerce and a
quasi-religious belief that man as a species is irredeemably wicked. Therefore,
the utter contempt for the citizens of Taiji and their ancient traditions,
isn’t just excusable. It is what their crusade is all about.
The
thing is, Sasaki did her level best not to make a Sea Shepherd expose. She
gives them more than equal time to make their case. She also talks to veteran
Japanese anti-whaling activists, who ruefully suggest there would be less
demand for whale meat without the mob scene at Taiji.
Nevertheless,
Sasaki faithfully records the reality at Taiji and her honesty is damning. As
an American, I now feel the need to personally apologize to the people of Taiji
for the abuse they have had to endure. Our country is better than what you’ve
seen from those fanatics. Moushi wake arimasen.
This
is a documentary that urgently needs to be seen, but distributors are unlikely
to touch it, because it challenges accepted narratives and biases. It probably
does not help that the scattershot, not-ready-for-prime-time rebuttal doc Behind “The Cove” had a small but
poorly-reviewed theatrical run last year. The Taiji controversy deserved a much
better documentary. This is that film. Very highly recommended, A Whale of a Tale screens Saturday
(7/15) at the Japan Society, as part of this year’s Japan Cuts.
