Yesterday was the last day of the Nantucket Film Festival, a day that for me started with an amazing screening of The Cove. From the second the film started the entire audience was hypnotized by the story of a team of filmmakers and dolphin activists trying to expose the extreme dolphin slaughter happening in Taiji, Japan.  There were constant gasps, nervous laughs and cheers at the end.  All much deserved.

As was The Cove’s winning The Audience Award!

When the film ended yesterday the crowd was on their feet to welcome director Louie Psihoyos, daredevil Charles Hambleton, producer Fisher Stevens and the film’s real hero, dolphin expert and lover Ric O’Barry.

Also on hand, but in the audience, was the entire Stiller family: Ben (see above), Jerry, Anne Meara and Christine Taylor).  Apparently Ben had seen the film on Saturday and was so moved that he brought the entire family back to see it the next day!   Between the Stillers and the audience everyone wanted to know what they could do to help end the dolphin slaughter in Taiji.  Louis, Charles, Fisher and Ric told them all about TakePart (!) and a little about raising awareness, especially in Japan. 

You could hear a special buzz in the room as people piled out, everyone discussing what they could do to help the situation.  People lined up to shake Ric O’Barry’s hand and to talk shop with Fisher Stevens.  It was an afternoon filled with inspiration and a real desire to create change.

I’ll have a review for The Cove as the date nears for the theatrical release.  For now,  go below to check out a photo of Fisher, Louis and Ben (and one with me and my new hero Ric O’Barry), to watch the trailer and to check out the link in the Act section of the post to learn how you can do your part to get the word out about the horror happening in Taiji.