Afonso and the Demon

At some point, Afonso (right) picked up a small demon that now follows him everywhere.

–WKW

“The Cove” wins Oscar – Louie Psihoyos doesn’t get to talk dolphins

Last month, I got to speak with director Louie Psihoyos about his Oscar-nominated documentary “The Cove.” When asked about the possibility of winning an Academy Award, here’s what Psihoyos had to say:

“A billion people will see the Academy Awards,” said Psihoyos in a telephone interview. “That’s why I’d like to win. Because for 45 seconds you can talk directly to all the key people who are involved in these policies.”

Unfortunately, Producer Fisher Stevens – missing the point and a huge opportunity – gave the acceptance speech and never actually said the word “Dolphin.”

If you’re interested in helping to stop the horrifying murder of dolphins in Japan, here are some helpful links:

• What can you do to help?
• “The Cove” Official Web Site
• The Oceanic Preservation Society
• Save Japan Dolphins

Update: Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, here is what Psihoyos had planned on saying:

The Long version of the world’s Shortest Oscar acceptance speech

By Louie Psihoyos, director of The Cove

- We made this film to give the oceans a voice.

- We told the story of The Cove because we witnessed a crime. Not just a
crime against nature, but a crime against humanity.

- We made this movie because through plundering, pollution and acidification from burning fossil fuels, ALL ocean life is in peril, from the great whales to plankton which, incidentally, is responsible for half the oxygen in this theater.

- Thank you, Black OPS Team for risking your lives in Japan — and thank you Academy for shining the brightest lights in the world on THE COVE……

- Japan, please see this movie! Domo Aragato!

–WKW

Monday Morning Mothra

One of the interesting things about living in Brazil is the fact that you’re surrounded by critters you’d never see in the U.S. This morning I woke up to see this moth outside. It’s wingspan was close to six inches.

–WKW

Louie Psihoyos: Oscar for ‘The Cove’ could save lives of dolphins

Louie Psihoyos wants to win an Academy Award. For the Director of the Oscar-nominated documentary “The Cove,” being nominated is great, but when the envelope is opened, he wants to hear his film called out. Mind you, Psihoyos doesn’t much care about the award itself (“I’d probably give it to the crew,” he said.), but he wants what he sees as the biggest benefit an Oscar offers – a massive audience.

“A billion people will see the Academy Awards,” said Psihoyos in a telephone interview. “That’s why I’d like to win. Because for 45 seconds you can talk directly to all the key people who are involved in these policies.”

What Psihoyos wants to talk about is the subject of his highly praised documentary – the wholesale slaughter of Dolphins in Taiji, Japan. But should “The Cove” not win the Oscar for Best Documentary, Psihoyos has already gotten the word out to millions about the formerly secret slaughter. And just this week, it was announced that the film will now be in front of people he knows can make the biggest difference – the people of Japan.

On Feb. 8, The Works International announced that “The Cove” had been acquired by Japanese distributor Medallion Media which is planning a tentative release date of April 2010 in Japan. Carl Clifton, Managing Director of The Works International, applauded Medallion for taking the film directly to the people of Japan.

“Many distributors screened the film and most decided it was simply too hot to handle even if they all felt it must be seen by the Japanese people,” said Clifton in a press release. “Medallion Media has shown real courage in acquiring ‘The Cove’ for Japan and we look forward to working with them on it.”

“The Cove” – which currently has an almost-unheard of 8.5 rating at The Internet Movie Database – highlights the annual, six-month slaughter of dolphins in Taiji. The dolphins are rounded up by fisherman, who use sonar and bang on long poles to frighten and herd the dolphins into a cove. After highly sought-after “show dolphins” – dolphins which will be taken captive and trained at Ocean parks like Sea World – are selected, the dolphins are then herded into a once-secret cove, where they are slaughtered. Each year, more than 20,000 dolphins are killed.

The actual cove where the dolphins are being slaughtered was a long-held secret by the Taiji and Japanese governments. But Psihoyos (“I probably watched too many James Bond movies as a kid,” he laughs”) put together his own “Ocean’s 11″ squad of filmmakers, divers and activists to penetrate the cove under the cover of darkness, hiding cameras and sound equipment throughout the area. The end result was video that is at once educating and blood-curdling.

But despite the video and the film, the killing continues.

“At the beginning of the year they stopped killing bottle-nose dolphins, but they have started the killing again,” said Psihoyos, who started the non-profit Oceanic Preservation Society in 2005.

The film follows former dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, who trained the dolphins in the hit 1960s TV show “Flipper.” O’Barry has long felt a responsibility for the popularity of performing dolphins that took off following the TV Show, and sees his own fingerprints on the slaughter. Now the most prominent and tireless defender of dolphins, “The Cove” highlights his fight to free and save the intelligent mammals.

Aside from being a documentation of atrocities against dolphins, O’Barry’s fight for redemption, and the cloak-and-dagger operation, “The Cove” also showcases a problem for mankind – the massive elevation of mercury in the systems of sea mammals like dolphins and whales. The problem is showcased in Taiji, where the dolphins have been used as a food source, and where authorities attempted to get dolphin meat into schools across the nation.

“The whole town was mandated for being tested for mercury because of this movie,” said Psihoyos, 52. “They found that the males had 20 times more mercury in their blood and the women 10 times more than other Japanese people.”

Psihoyos said that thus far, even with the film, the Japanese government has been of no help to either the dolphins, or their own people.

“They are still in denial. They are still trying to hide behind the old tired excuses that it’s a tradition,” said Psihoyos, who resides in Boulder, Colo. “Well, this ‘tradition’ started in the 1930s. And their tradition is poisoning their own people.”

Which is why getting the movie in front of Japanese audiences is such a coup for the filmmaker. In a time when their government is experiencing the same economic crisis as the rest of the planet, the Japanese government is actually using tax payer money to keep the needless killing of dolphins going.

“If they just enforced their own laws, this problem would end,” said Psihoyos. “The Japanese people need to know they are subsidizing these people.”

Having already scaled the heights with his first film, Psihoyos is now working on what he calls a companion piece for “The Cove,” which will look at the degradation of the world’s ocean by humankind.

“To me we’re it’s like we’re living in a science-fiction nightmare we’re only beginning to understand,” said Psihoyos. “The oceans are getting increasingly acidic, and by the end of this century it will be impossible for coral reefs to even exist.”

But despite the harrowing subject matter, Psihoyos takes to his burgeoning film making and activism career with optimism. He can see things turning around with a new generation of Americans.

“I have an extreme amount of hope with the kids. They can read through the BS and see we’re destroying the environment,” said Psihoyos. “We’ve signed up nearly 1 million people already to help with this. I know people are getting engaged by this movie.”

So come Oscar night, Psihoyos will be in the audience, hoping to receive the Oscar for Best Documentary. But that won’t be the true prize he’s after.

“We’ve won a lot of awards. But I didn’t get in the business of making films to win awards. The real awards are to solve these problems,” said Psihoyos.

More on “The Cove”

• After learning the massive carbon footprint that making a film creates, Psihoyos made the second half of the film using only solar energy, including solar-powered vehicles.
• Psihoyos said the film has already drawn attention from the Japanese media. A recent trip to Taiji by O’Barry was covered by by a large contingent of Japanese media. “He was like a rock star,” said Psihoyos. At a Japanese film festival, Psihoyos said “We got more media coverage than “Avatar.”

Additional Reading

• What can you do to help?
• “The Cove” Official Web Site
• The Oceanic Preservation Society
• Save Japan Dolphins
• Louie Psihoyos Photography

–WKW

Zé Aparecido and the bird

We had a terrible thunderstorm here the other evening, leading to many a broken tree. With those broken trees came at least one baby bird, who set up a perch at our front door. And in doing so, gave young Zé Aparecido an hour or so worth of longing.

The bird and Zé Aparecido both emerged from the stand-off unharmed.

–WKW

“The U.S. Economy” as performed by a French Bulldog puppy

Everyone’s rooting for the U.S. economy to get back on its feet. It’s just got to keep trying.

–WKW

Billy and the Bat-Dog

Billy was afraid of Bats. “Run away!” he’d shreik when he saw one. “It’s a flying Rat!”

But one day Billy stumbled into a Cave, optimistic like a knave. When his wee little eyes adjusted, his mind nearly busted.

“There are Bats everywhere here! I’ve got to get in the clear!”

But as Billy started to flee, his eyes couldn’t believe what they started to see! Right in the middle of those bats so gruesome, was a puppy dog so handsome!

And so Billy took the dog from it’s scary cave and brought him back to his home enclave. And he met Max and Afonso and Duchess and Jack. And the puppy was so happy he knew he’d never go back.

And Billy was happy and named his new Bat-Dog José Aparecido, just to mess with you. But please meet this little dog from the street – if you’re not sure what to say, just call him Zé.

–WKW

Re-Run: The Desire of the Dog

A lot of production value went into this, so I present once again, the epic short film, `Desire Out of Reach`.

–WKW

Fruit flies ask scientists to get out of their pants

Attn: The Entire Scientific Community

Not long ago, I was greeted the news that some scientists somewhere have found a way to make fruit flies bisexual, and then change them back to heterosexual. As the Director of the Fruit Fly Anti-Defamation League, I feel the time has come for fruit flies to draw a line in the sand. While I hold many scientists in high regard, let me make my point perfectly clear:

Stop fucking with our sexuality.

I mean, holy crap, what sort of fetish do you bastards have, anyway? It seems like every few years, some genius poindexter comes out with a report on the sexuality of fruit flies. In 1995 there was a report on the sexuality of fruit flies. And in 2005. In fact, the Internet is jam-packed with stories of people trying to break down these stories after scientists pump some crazy DNA in our asses (yeah, we have asses).

Well we’ve had enough. Sure, there will be plenty of folks trying to make a big deal about this study, but please remember one thing – we’re fucking fruit flies. I mean, we live like a week. Honestly, I’m spending the best minutes of my life – which will likely be over by Friday – writing this to you.

So for God’s sake, ease off a little, ok? We have enough problems in this short life. No one likes us. We aren’t even allowed in most states. We have real issues that far exceed what you’re trying to prove. And what the hell are you trying to prove, anyway? No matter what your study says, those on the Right (who will somehow find fault in every last thing science accomplishes outside of bomb-making) will interpret it as “Gay people are bad and can be cured” while those on the left will counter with “People on the right are bad and can’t be cured.”

We fruit flies can’t help it that we have a diverse sexual biology. By nature, we’re down for whatever. But we just want to be left in peace. So enough with the tests, ok? Try them out on wasps for awhile. They’re a real pain in the ass.

In the meantime, however, could you just leave our tiny little penises and vaginas alone? Seriously, it’s really getting annoying.

Thank you for your time on this matter,

Tephr I. Tidae
Director, Fruit Fly Anti-Defamation League

–WKW

Originally posted at Shakesville, Dec. 2007

Damn, my dogs sure are a pack of Nazis

When people learn that I have four dogs, they immediately comment that I must be a crazy dog person. And I really can’t argue with that assessment. I’m a crazy dog person, what can I say. I love my little pack, and would probably give them total control of my home if they had the presence of mind to ask.

Still, not all is wine and Milkbones with my pack. You see, my dogs are Rawhide Bone Nazis. I start doling out the bones, and they go completely National Socialist German Workers’ Party on me.

It starts simply enough. I’m at a store and see rawhide bones and despite my knowledge that all hell will break loose if I buy them, I buy them anyway. If you’re a dog lover like me, you understand. If nirvana is a place you want to be, few things will help you get there like feeding a dog. Even a Nazi dog.

First there’s Duchess, my Australian Shepard. If ever a dog was sweeter, I’d like to meet it, because Duchess is a truly loving soul. But if I give her a rawhide bone, she goes after it the way Hitler went after homosexuals and the disabled. I could give her a rawhide bone the size of Goebbels, and she’d still devour it in a matter of seconds. It’s kind of frightening to watch, actually. She goes totally Nazi on the thing and then spends the next few days expelling Hitler Youth-sized rawhide chunks.

Jack (a Boston Terrier) and Afonso (our infamous mutt) have a whole other approach when getting rawhide bones. They get more paranoid than Eva Braun must have been when she was in the bunker with Hitler. Jack – who loves humans more than Hitler loved rounding up and killing Jews – immediately turns on us. He becomes convinced that the main reason we gave him the bone in the first place was so that we could take it away from him. So he buries it. Then, moments later, he digs it up and eats it. Jack prefers his bones a la Dirt, I suppose. Like the dirt the Nazis used for mass burials of those they murdered.

Afonso is far worse. With the paranoia of an aging Hitler, Afonso goes into SS mode and hides in his doghouse with it. For literally hours, he’ll have the bone two feet away and just watch it, guarding it much like Nazis guarded the concentration camps where they murdered six million Jews. The beauty of it is this – he’ll let you take it away from him and the moment it leaves his sight, he goes back to being his playful self. He goes from Nazi to dog in a split second, and if you give the bone back, it’s right back to Nazi.

Then there’s Max, my other Boston Terrier. The oldest and by far the smartest of my dogs, Max is the only one that remains calm when he gets a bone. He’s the calmest little Nazi of the bunch. He’s learned from years of experience to immediately eat whatever we give him. He knows more is coming, much like the Nazis knew there’d be more trainloads of Jews and other undesirables heading to the concentration camps.

Basically, buying rawhide bones sets off a Holocaust around these parts. Millions of bones have been eradicated and millions of more are on their way. Because I’m a crazy dog person, and I can never deny them, regardless of how Final Solution-y things get around here. What can I say? I love my little Holocaust Hitler Nazi dogs.

–WKW

No One Expects a … Baby Panda!

If someone could drop a baby panda off at my house and leave it here for the weekend, that would be just brilliant.

–WKW

Watching the dogs

I’ll be spending a quiet weekend watching the dogs. Feel free to join me*:

Free TV : Ustream

Live Videos by Ustream

* Not my dogs, mind you. And despite what the top video says, the dogs have already been born and are puppies now.

–WKW

Dog Gone it

I needed a little puppy-in-a-cup to help recover from the disappointment of the U.S. loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup. Still, no matter how much my Brazilian wife is now talking trash, it was a tremendous showing by the U.S. Soccer team. They leave South Africa proud and confident, with a year to prepare and improve for the 2010 World Cup. Bravo to the U.S. squad for an eye-opening performance.

–WKW

The one where Afonso learns that girls need love, too

Duchess, my unfixed Australian Shepherd, is going through heat these last few days. So, after spending a few days fighting off the aggressive advances of Afonso (who is fixed but that doesn’t seem to stop his desire), Duchess is now wanting some of her own:

Another day, another lesson for Afonso. Today’s lesson: Nice dogs need love, too.

–WKW

What has Afonso done now?

Q: What has Afonso been up to lately?

A: Nothing much. Just hanging out.

–WKW

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