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Lots of good news from Japan, The Cove is seeing brisk ticket sales, protests have died down and 10 more theaters are lined up to screen the doc.
According to today's Daily Yomiuri, "Atsushi Matsumura, manager of No. 7 Geijutsu Gekijo theater in Yodogawa Ward, Osaka, said he has been surprised by the film's success, with screenings selling out every weekend."
This comes as a big relief after the film's Japanese release in early July was marred by intimidation by right wing nationalists. The Cove distributor, Unplugged, obtained several injunctions against the protesters to keep their offices safe, in addition to Yokohama New Theater. Fears that viewers might stay away have proven unfounded.
Protests have died down. Ticket sales have been strong. Geijutsu Gekijo Theater has actually extended the scheduled run for a few more weeks.
"The Cove" has been picked up by 10 additional theaters--including venues in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture; Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture; and Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture--since its initial release by 25 theaters.
More good news.
According to Michiko Nakai's piece today, the discussion has shifted from noise to content.
"Film magazine Kinema Junpo featured "The Cove" in an issue published in late July, and the July 6 edition of "Close-up Gendai," a talk program on NHK TV, discussed aspects of the documentary's production, including its use of surreptitious filming." A healthy dialogue is the foundation of true democracy.
We salute the brave people of Japan, theater owners, film viewers, journalists and especially the courageous team at Unplugged.
~Viki Psihoyos~
image courtesy Oceanic Defense Japan