DHD has just received this note from Fisher Stevens:
I have been involved with many films over the years as an actor, director and producer. But working on The Cove has been one of my proudest moments in 28 years of being in the business. Getting the opportunity to make an exciting film, and one that can actually make a difference, is why I got into filmaking in the first place.
That is why I was so disappointed that our film, after winning awards in the last 13 film festivals it had entered, was rejected by the Tokyo Film Festival, whose theme this year is green. Not that it is that much of a shocker, but the main goal for making the film was to shut down the cove in Taijii, Japan, where 2,300 dolphins are killed every year. Most of the Japanese population has no idea that this is going on. What better way to let them know than to premiere it on the green carpet of this years festival.
We have sold the film in over 20 countries and sadly have yet to find any distributor who will go near the film in Japan.
We will continue to do our best to get the film out in Japan but it is a shame that, after being accepted in festivals all over the world, that we couldn’t get into this one.
Sincerely,
Fisher Stevens
That is a shame. Fisher’s a really nice guy. It’s alright though. This film has so much buzz around it, that the youth of Japan will at least be exposed to it.
As with whaling, the Japanese seem to have “stick your head in the sand” approach to these problems. It’s a great movie, I hope you guys can find a distributor brave enough to release it in Japan.
Why are you surprised?
Give it away in Japan.
Torrent a Japanese version if necessary.
Making them pay for a scolding is not going to work.
Brilliant idea. Giving it away on the streets of Tokyo during the festival. If Piracy is an issue- create them with watermarks.
i think it’s actually 23, 000 dolphins that are killed a year, not 2300. this film is amazing, everyone should see it. great job fisher.
typical American hypocrisy, condemn the Japanese for killing dolphins in a movie produced by a man named “Fisher.”
Fisher,
Mixing politics and film IN JAPAN. What. Did you think they’d be happy that you’re outing them? Be happy about your movie and move on.
Fisher,
I want to see it, but you should take your pal Lytton’s strategy and give it away. In fact, take it to Cannes and give it away the exclusive Toho party (where they spend gobs of money to fly in sushi). Good luck with everything else on the film.
dan
Dear Fisher,
Sometimes things do not always go the way we hope in life. However, don’t you think writing a letter to an industry trade to complain is going a bit too far?
Maybe you can get them to screen it if you include the video of you and Ben Silverman singing in the bathroom in towels. Blockbuster baby!
Join me in the group, “Fuck off, Japan…leave the whales alone”.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7251222651&ref=mf
Also, you can join and support the Sea Shepherd Society
As someone who lived in Japan I can tell you that as a culture they have an amazing gift for self delusion on a wide variety of issues. Wake the fuck up, Japan and leave the whales and dolphins alone.
I do believe Tokyo is considered an “A” level festival by the organization that governs all international festivals. To get that rating, it requires several things….including a limitation on the amount of times you can have screened at other accredited festivals. Not to be a pill, but I imagine 13 is probably over the limit…
Please, as if the Japanese would practice free speech if it goes against govt’-sanctioned business. Oh, did I say Chinese? Yeah….
Whaling is totally acceptable in Japan and so is eating whale meat _ it was once a staple of school lunch programs. Dolphins are considered a kind of whale in Japan and most Japanese actually do know this type of thing is going on. Having this screen in Japan would be liking screening a movie that scolds Americans for eating cows and pigs. Obviously no distributor in Japan will pay to distribute a movie that will make zero yen at the box office. Put it on YouTube and hope for the best.
Why do the animal rights people feel its their obligation to shut down industries that employ PEOPLE and put food on their tables?
But forget about that, the dolphins need someone to champion their cause forget about the PEOPLE whose job will be lost if the cove is shut down.
We must save all animals, who cares about the people whose livelihood depends on utilizing the animals for specific purposes.
“Tired of Animal Rights People” and “Duh” clearly haven’t seen the film.
I saw a screening of this a few months ago followed by a Q&A with director Psihoyos and he mentioned distributing bootleg copies in Japan once they make their budget back. That may be their only option.
Tired of Animal Rights People –
The problem in this specific instance is that these animals are endangered and protected. It is ILLEGAL to kill these animals under international laws, yet Japan continues to allow it to happen. Also, the mercury content of both whale and dolphin meat FAR exceeds what Japan allows to be sold on open market in their country, however; nothing is done about it.
Learn to do some research before you post stuff that you have no idea about.
Fisher, I met with the Japanese Consulate in Denver last year, prior to the slaughter, and, though he was typically polite, he was also dismissive of my mission to convince him to help stop the killing of dolphins. My “tactic” was to show him & his aides how beautiful & unusually intelligent the dolphins are, how almost human-like they are in their lives. And what a shame it was to destroy that. But…I got no reaction, other than a smile and a “thank you for stopping by”.
The Japanese will no more see this movie than they would have “The Rape of Nanking.” Though there are true individualists there, the populace tends to rally around the flag, especially when they are confronted by such horrible crimes. I just hope the free-thinkers over there do all they can to get the message out.
Great film. But better yet this information is out there. This is disgusting. It’s as sick as Michael Vick.
See this film. You will understand.
Thank you.
Most of the Japanese people I spoke to didn’t even want to see the film even though they’re here in the US. “Losing face and pride” is a huge issue in Asian culture, and then on top of that, you’ve got government censorship. The results? Issues like animal rights are buried deep at the bottom of the list.
Having this screen in Japan would be liking screening a movie that scolds Americans for eating cows and pigs.
Like “Fast Food Nation” and “Food, Inc” ? Yeah – our government really stepped in to keep people from seeing those movies. Although I will agree that “freedom of information” is not a Japanese government virtue.
I agree that “The Cove” is going to have to be distributed for free in Japan somehow. Didn’t Michael Moore pull that free download stunt with “Sicko”?
And yeah – it stinks that so many people end up unemployed when an immoral industry is shut down. I feel so sorry for human traffickers. If they can’t force women and children into prostitution for profit what will they do with their lives?!
Earth to Tired of Animal Rights People. We are completely capable of caring for MORE THAN ONE CAUSE AT A TIME. OMG! Animals and people at the same time EVEN!
Join me in the group, “Fuck off, Japan…leave the whales alone”.
You are including Norway and Iceland in that too, aren’t you? Japan is by no means the only nation doing this and we don’t want to imply that this is solely a Japanese issue.
This is my idea:
If your goal is to attain people and spread the word and let japanese people know what is going on,the only way to do it is to put your movie on YOUTUBE and free internet sites.
That way,it might not be profitable $$$,but it will certainely reach everybody .
Like the movie “home”,you will be accessible to anyone that have an internet connexion.And God knows that Japanese people have internet connections all over the place!
Tired of Animal Rights People –
How can you honestly be ‘tired’ of people who want to protect the lives of animals? What harm is there in wanting to stand up for the rights of another living being?