A Whale of a Tale

Name: A Whale of a Tale
Genre: Documentary
Released: August 17, 2018
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 50
Cast: Atsuko Sakuma, Atsushi Nakahira, Jay Alabaster, Kazutaka Sangen, Rick Oliver

2018

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Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: August 17, 2018 | Not Rated

Starring: Atsuko Sakuma, Atsushi Nakahira, Jay Alabaster, Kazutaka Sangen, Rick Oliver

Summary: Can a proud 400-year-old whaling tradition survive a tsunami of modern animal-rights activism and colliding forces of globalism vs. localism? A Whale of a Tale reveals the complex story behind the ongoing debate. Through the point-of-view of a wide range of characters including fishermen, international activists and American journalistCan a proud 400-year-old whaling tradition survive a tsunami of modern animal-rights activism and colliding forces of globalism vs. localism? A Whale of a Tale reveals the complex story behind the ongoing debate. Through the point-of-view of a wide range of characters including fishermen, international activists and American journalist (and longtime Japanese resident), this powerful documentary unearths a deep divide in eastern and western thought about nature and wildlife, raising questions about cultural sensitivity in the face of global activism.… Expand

Director: Megumi Sasaki

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Nick Allen

Aug 17, 2018

The biggest success for A Whale of a Tale is in how it corrects the biggest flaw of “The Cove,” which came from an inclination we all have: to cast real life people as one-dimensional heroes and villains; good and evil. Read full review

Devika Girish

Aug 16, 2018

Together, these voices paint a complex picture of the clash between globalism and a fast-disappearing localism. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Aug 16, 2018

A Whale of a Tale delivers a thoughtful riposte to The Cove even while providing plenty of opportunity for those opposed to the practice of killing or capturing whales and dolphins to make their case. Read full review

Nick Schager

Aug 16, 2018

A Whale of a Tale only skims the surface of the many matters it raises, be it cultural imperialism, tradition, animal rights and socioeconomic necessities. Still, its objective approach, and subtle plea for middle-ground compromise, makes it a worthwhile addendum to Psihoyos’ celebrated predecessor. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Oct 19, 2018

The result is a film that lacks fury and outrage, that straddles a morally murky fence. It’s not that Whale of a Tale lacks a point of view, it’s that it lacks conviction about any point of view. Read full review

Robert Abele

Aug 23, 2018

A Whale of a Tale is an unfortunately directionless, low-gear rebuttal that hardly ever stirs up emotions as effectively as “The Cove” did. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Aug 16, 2018

A Whale of a Tale is a rambling blend of complaint, tourism and straw-men arguments. What it’s not is persuasive. Read full review

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