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World Premiere A Whale of a Tale

Wide Angle

Animal · Social Criticism · True Story · Tradition

  • CountryJapan,United States
  • Production Year2016
  • Running Time93min
  • FormatDCP
  • ColorColor
Program Note
This investigative documentary film shows what is going on in Taiji, a small fishing village in Japan, after 2010’s The Cove, also a documentary that brought international attention to this village. The Cove featured a dolphin trainer who woke up to the fact that a whale is a mammal with feelings and that knows pain, and who went on to become an animal rights activist. The activists and the filmmakers (who won an Academy Award) spread out over the world the name of Taiji, where cruel whale hunting was ongoing. A Whale of a Tale is the sequel to The Cove, but it does not just regard Taiji from the viewpoint of Western activists; it listens to the Taiji villagers as well. Taiji has become a hot spot for anti-whaling activists, often militant, and cameras and binoculars now flock to the village in whaling season. The villagers claim that a whale is a precious resource for the village, once scarce of food, and that they perform a ritual for whales after the traditional hunt. Focusing on a place where provocative remarks are exchanged and the traditional culture conflicts with ethics, the film tries to say that understanding each other and having conversations is the true solution to the conflict. Still, there seems to be a long road to resolution and in the meantime, life is being slaughtered. (Minah JEONG)
Director
Director
SASAKI Megumi
Documentarian and journalist Sasaki Megumi documented the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which resulted in a 10-part newspaper series. She has worked for NHK, and founded Fine Line Media. Her films include the award-winning Herb & Dorothy (2008) and it’s equally lauded follow-up Herb & Dorothy 50X50 (2013).
Credit
  • Director
    SASAKI Megumi
  • ProducerMegumi Sasaki
  • CastJay Alabaster
    Kazutaka Sangen
    Teruto Seko
    Scott West
    Ric O′Barry
  • CinematographyTakashi Orikasa
  • EditorBernadine Colish
  • MusicDavid Majzlin
  • Production CompanyFine Line Media
    Inc.
    megumi@finelinemedia.net
Photo
BNK Busan Bank
GENESIS
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Co., Ltd.
NUTRILITE
NAVER
카카오 오픈채팅
PARADISE HOTEL BUSAN
Korea Exchange
POSCO
Shinhan Card
Debeach Golf Club
TOPTEN10
CJ CGV
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Busan Metropolitan City
Korean Film Council
BUSAN CINEMA CENTER