The Cove: Text DOLPHIN

In the category of Documentary Feature, the Oscar went to The Cove.

"The Cove," which chronicles the grisly business of dolphin hunting in Japan, on Sunday won the Oscar for best feature documentary.

The triumph of "The Cove," among the best reviewed films of the year but relatively unpopular with U.S. audiences due to its disturbing subject matter, came days after its distributor announced the film would open in theaters across Japan for the first time later this year.

"The Cove" has failed to even gross $1 million in domestic release and is even less known in Japan, where the government has maintained that the hunting of dolphins and whales remains an important cultural tradition.

Directed by former National Geographic photographer Louie Psihoyos, the film follows a group of eco-activists who struggle with Japanese police and fisherman to gain access to a secluded cove in Taiji, in southern Japan, where dolphins are hunted.

It features graphic footage of dolphins being herded into the cove and slaughtered, but also notes that dolphin meat is eaten by a very small percentage of Japanese people.

The movie features Ric O'Barry, a former dolphin trainer from the 1960s television series "Flipper" who helped organize the effort to chronicle the dolphin hunt in Taiji.

During his acceptance speech, producer Fisher Stevens called Ric O'Barry his hero. He said O'Barry was "not only a hero to this species, but to all species."

O'Barry didn't have an opportunity to speak, but he came prepared with a sign.



He fumbled with it, dropping it, before he successfully unfurled it.



The camera didn't linger on O'Barry and his message, but the sign was shown long enough to be read.

What happens if you follow O'Barry's suggestion?

According to TakePart.com, going forward on that text will sign you up to receive information about how to end the dolphin slaughter in Japan.

For more Cove-related actions, you can visit TakePart.com/thecove and sign on to the campaign to help spread the word.