Animal Planet will bring the Oscar-nominated documentary The Cove to basic cable this summer.
The film, investigating the culling and slaughter of thousands of dolphins in Taiji, Japan, will air on Animal Planet, following its run on joint venture movie service Epix.
Taiji is the world's largest supplier of dolphins to the world, but it has a dark secret. With the help of a myriad of professionals who want to expose the unsettling situation in "The Cove," former Flipper trainer Ric O'Barry exposes what's happening and why. Underwater sound and camera experts, deep sea free divers, special effects artists and a host of other marine/film experts contribute to this provocative, eye-opening film that captures the wrongdoings of the secretive dolphin industry.
The Cove has been generating critical acclaim ever since it walked off with the Audience Award at last year's Sundance Film Festival; it also one of 15 films under consideration for the Oscar for best documentary feature.
"The Cove is just the type of groundbreaking, provocative film that belongs on Animal Planet," said Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet, in a statement. "The film exposed an ugly reality that was veiled from the world for too long a time. We're honored to bring this remarkable film and the issue of dolphin conservation to television audiences."
"We are delighted to bring the most exciting, original and prestigious content from our Lionsgate family of companies to cable television buyers around the world," said Rand Stoll, Lionsgate executive vice president of television distribution. "Animal Planet is a perfect partner for Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate, and the perfect home for The Cove."
