The Last Whale
Directed by David Bradbury
Available through Youngheart Productions, 187A Whale Beach Road, Whale Beach, Sydney 2107, phone (02) 974 1102, fax (02) 974 1064
Reviewed by Francesca Davidson
The Last Whale is a moving documentary focusing on a crucial turning point in the survival of whales, the International Whaling Commission meeting in late May in Mexico.
Tracing the history of commercial whaling and the extermination of whales, the documentary strongly argues that the only possibility of survival is the creation of a whale sanctuary around Antarctica.
This is opposed most strongly by Japan. Despite a worldwide moratorium on commercial whaling, Japan has continued killing whales to sell their meat in the sushi bars and exclusive restaurants of Tokyo. It has done this through a loophole in the moratorium allowing culling of whales for scientific purposes.
In order to ensure it wins the vote in Mexico, Japan has promised aid to four Caribbean nations in exchange for their votes and has already begun constructing fisheries on these islands in preparation for the reopening of commercial whaling.
Interviews with young Japanese showed support for protection of whales and debunked the myth that whale meat is traditional food that all Japanese eat. Japan's fishing industries however, are fighting hard for the right to continue commercial whaling because they fear that once whales are protected, so also will tuna and shark. They are supported by the Scandinavian countries.
Narrated by Jack Thompson, the film mounts a convincing case that should commercial whaling be allowed, whales will be extinct in 10 to 15 years. As the International Whaling Commission represents mostly fishing ministers, not environmental ministers, and requires a 75% majority to maintain the moratorium, unless a huge campaign is organised internationally, the vote could go against whales.
Backed by music by Yothu Yindi, Olivia Newton John, Midnight Oil and others, the video conveys the urgency of the situation with graphic shots of whale killing and a comprehensive array of interviews with environmentalists from Greenpeace, the United Nations and elsewhere.
Although the film conveys the information and the urgency of the situation, it left me feeling powerless against Japanese corporate interests rather than empowered to fight on, especially given that there remain less than four weeks until the meeting in Mexico. The focus on this meeting made me feel faced with a fait accompli. There should perhaps have been more of a focus on the campaign to save whales. Nevertheless, the video makes a huge impact and makes it clear we must act now.