The “documentary”, as I learned and worked on many in twenty plus years, in its simplistic form is documenting an event or actions with the outcome in most cases being the unknown to be discovered. When I use the term “docu-drama”, I’m referring to a situation where one may know of an event or occurrence with the challenge of, how to document it. In “The Cove”, the drama unfolds as the filmmakers clandestinely plan how to get the event documented when a government will go to great lengths to keep it secret…

In the 1960’s Ric O’Barry captured and trained the 5 dolphins that played the title character in the internationally famous TV series "Flipper" (1964-68). O’Barry came to realize that these deeply sensitive, highly intelligent and self-aware creatures must never be subjected to human captivity again. With that thought as a prime directive, Taiji, Japan held a dark secret. Under the cover of night, a select group of fishermen of Taiji, driven by a multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry and an underhanded market for mercury-tainted dolphin meat, regularly engage in an unseen hunt for dolphins. The nature of what they do is chilling and the consequences are so dangerous to human health that they will go to great lengths to keep anyone from seeing it. It’s a remote and hidden cove surrounded by barbed wire, "Keep Out" signs, and armed guards.

Director Louie Psihoyos, Ric O'Barry, an elite team of activists, filmmakers, and divers, use the high-end technology of filmmaking equipment along with the special effects and scenic design expertise to disguise their true intentions: document the goings-on at “The Cove”. It’s a compelling film as a documentary on what they find, and a drama of the highest order as the authorities go to great lengths to stop them…