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Everybody loves dolphins.  Except for the Japanese.  And sharks.  And probably Robert Fure.  So most folks love dolphins.  If you fall into that broad characterization then you may find it difficult watching the new documentary The Cove.

The Cove is about a group of filmmakers and activists who descend upon a small town in Japan in search of the truth.  No, they’re not investigating rumors of sideways vaginas, they’re there to answer questions about the town’s mysterious fishing trade.  Thousands of dolphins are captured there each year with a small portion of them auctioned off in public view to scientists and theme parks.  But what happens to the ones that aren’t sold?  The ones that get towed around the bend into the secured and inaccessible cove of the film’s title… check out the trailer below.

I caught this film recently and found it to be equal parts captivating and infuriating.  Fans of suspense will appreciate the film’s setup and editing, the creation of the Ocean’s 11-type team, and the devastating payoff.  The trailer’s final shot is effective here, but it’s even more incredibly eerie in the film.  The Cove grabs your heart and mind as both entertainment and enlightenment and doesn’t let go until long after you’ve left the theater.  What happens to the dolphins in the cove is only the beginning of the tragedy though, and hopefully the film will expose the truth enough to stop not only the slaughter but the misguided attitudes and ignorance behind it as well.

What do you think of the trailer?  Even if the environment and animal welfare are none of your concern the movie is a solid piece of entertainment.  Check it out this summer!