Feb. 28 Screening to Raise Awareness of Dolphin Slaughter

Kat Kramer.

The Academy Award-nominated documentary “The Cove” has been selected as the next motion picture to be screened in “Kat Kramer’s Films That Changed the World” series, on Sunday, February 28 at Sunset Bronson Studios in Hollywood. The invitation-only event, which will include speeches by filmmakers, is expected to attract leading names from the entertainment and environmental communities. The screening is aimed at focusing attention on two organizations that were instrumental in the production of the film: The Oceanic Preservation Society, which is operated by “The Cove” director Louie Psihoyos, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Shot with hidden cameras, “The Cove” reveals in graphic detail the brutal slaughter of dolphins by Japanese fishermen, a practice that for years has been sanctioned by the government of Japan, despite protests from environmentalists and other countries. Kramer selected “The Cove” for inclusion in her series because the film has heightened awareness about the killing of dolphins, particularly among Japanese news media, which previously had ignored the issue.
“The horrifying practice is so entrenched in some segments of society that it is not going to be stopped overnight, but I believe ‘The Cove’ will make a significant impact,” said actress and producer Kat Kramer, founder of Kat Kramer’s Films That Changed the World. “It’s a difficult movie to watch, because of the violence, but there is no other way to show the reality of what goes on. This is a daring film, and I congratulate the producers for having the courage to make it.”
Written by Mark Monroe and directed by Louie Psihoyos, “The Cove” was produced by Fisher Stevens and associate produced by Charles Hambleton. Hambleton and others risked their lives during production of the film, sneaking cameras into the off-limits area where dolphins are slaughtered. The film has received numerous awards, and is nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary category.
“The Cove” was inspired by former dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, who in the 1960s captured and trained five dolphins for the popular television series “Flipper.” After years of working with the highly intelligent sea mammals, O’Barry came to believe that they should not be captured for human entertainment or slaughtered for their meat, and he vowed to work toward ending their exploitation.
“Kat Kramer’s Films That Changed the World” was launched in 2009 to honor motion pictures that focus attention on controversial issues in a positive way. The first film in the series was Barbra Streisand’s masterpiece “Yentl,” which was chosen because of its focus on women’s equality. That screening raised awareness of the plight of women in the Congo, who are often gang-raped for political reasons in that country’s ongoing ethnic war.
Kramer was inspired to create “Kat Kramer’s Films That Changed the World” by the memory of her father, the late producer/director Stanley Kramer, who was known for making socially conscious movies that dealt with such issues as racism, religious intolerance and the threat of nuclear war.
“I am very proud of the work my father did,” Kramer said. “For him, the message was always more important than making money. He inspired many filmmakers who came after him to try to make a difference in the world.”

“Kat Kramer’s Films That Changed the World” is presented in cooperation with Sunset Gower + Sunset Bronson Studios, and with the generous support of PartyCharlie®, Hollywood caterer to the stars.