A Whale of a Tale - Japan Cuts 2017

A Whale of a Tale
おクジラさま〜ふたつの正義の物語

DOCUMENTARY FOCUS
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Introduction and Q&A with director Megumi Sasaki

Entering the political fray of environmentalism versus tradition raging a round the issue of dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan since the 2009 release of The Cove, Megumi Sasaki’s documentary is the finely balanced film essay the frayed topic has been waiting for. Instead of propping up images of animal slaughter or beleaguered fishermen, A Whale of a Tale focuses on points of contact and communication between the two sides, foreign activists devoting years to the cause and agricultural workers who have developed a first-name familiarity. Sasaki (Herb & Dorothy) collaborates with journalist Jay Alabaster to examine the historical and material conditions that contributed to local whaling practice and the pressures of globalism and localism that keeps this issue in ideological deadlock—at least for now.

2016. 95 min. DCP, in English and Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Megumi Sasaki.

World Premiere, Busan International Film Festival. Tokyo Docs Awards 2015, Best Pitch Award.

Part of JAPAN CUTS 2017.

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[LRENRZRR]

I think it's okay as long as it's not industrial whaling. If there were more living whales, there was no need to forbid it.

[two-toneblue]

Quit living in the past.

You're having an identity crisis, see a shrink.

[勇土田]

Why is whaling so repulsive in Japan? Government subsidies are four times sales revenue. In an attempt to recover some of these massive losses from government subsidies, whale meat prices have increased. So nobody buys the meat. This creates a surplus with no demand. Dolphin meat however, sells cheaply but STILL has no demand.

Why is our government wasting tax payer money for an industry that poisons Japan and tortures animals? It is not viable. It is not moral. This industry cannot sustain itself so it should not be supported. People do not care about whale or dolphin meat in Japan. If people cared about this product, it would sustain itself by making a profit. It doesn’t and it won’t in the future because prices are high and interest in this product is low.

This business model is a losing strategy for Japan’s economy. It is not sustainable. It is punishing Japanese tax payers unfairly and it is greedy. Whaling is a waste of taxes! Let’s stop wasting taxes.

[ビッグ-ボス]

So, who is right? Weren't the Whale a blessing for this poor town folk in a time of need?

[LRENRZRR]

I also think Japan shouldn't be to stubborn, but I know how radically those activists can be...