December 3 Film. What's a film that you saw that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you will purchase and watch again and again and again and give to all your friends, as well?
We all know, quite well I think (unless you just landed at Nakedjen looking for those naked pictures of Jennifer Aniston or Jennifer Love Hewitt and, well, if that is you then welcome to the naked pictures of this Jennifer instead, I do hope you're not too disappointed and that you'll stay for the rest of this story) that I am a girl who loves film. All kinds of film. If I could truly live my dream life (and hey, I should be saying this far more than I do so I can live my dream life) I would spend my life perhaps even, yes, gasp, do not faint, living in Salt Lake City and traveling to work at six or seven major film festivals every single year.
Yes. Universe. That would be my dream life.
As it is, I most times work for the Sundance Film Festival. In some fashion or another. It is a film lover's festival of festivals. It is my absolute most favorite. If the Oregon Country Fair is my religion, Sundance is my temple where I worship.
This year, I was a very lucky and blessed film lover in that I got to be part of the UK Film Council team for the festival. What that meant, exactly, is that I got to help them with all the affairs surrounding the twenty-five UK films that were selected as part of the 2009 Sundance line-up. I got to talk and promote fantastic independent film for what certainly felt like twenty four hours a day for two weeks straight. I got to meet passionate directors who were so excited just to be chosen. I got to meet actors and actresses who were so gracious and personable and truly lovely. I got to attend premieres of films and the parties to celebrate them.
Yes, it all sounds very glamorous. Let me also say it is one of the hardest jobs you will ever love. I can never get enough of it.
I could talk forever and ever and ever about the multitude of films that I have seen this year that have touched me deeply in one way or another. The films I have insisted that all my friends go see. The films that will be nominated for Oscars, I am certain. The list is very long. In fact, I know I should talk about that and I will. But not right now.
There is one specific documentary from Sundance 2009 that has touched me more deeply and profoundly than even I could have imagined possible before seeing it. That film is The Cove.
The Cove is a film that I think every human being needs to see. Every one. If you've ever swum with a dolphin, you need to see this film especially. If you've ever paid for a day at Sea World, well, then you need to see this film, as well. But even if all you do is eat a fish, this film is a film you truly should see.
I have spent the months that have followed Sundance doing all that I can to help to promote this film. I have written about the dolphins. I have written about the toxic levels of mercury in our oceans, rivers and streams and in our fish. I have petitioned world leaders around the globe, but especially in Japan, to stop this needless slaughter.
Ric O'Barry is an extraordinary man. I had the honor of hugging him and sharing a heart-felt conversation with him after The Cove won an award at Sundance last year. I thanked him for his heart and his soul and for the fight he continues to fight every day for the dolphins.
I have always been part mermaid, a girl who sings with all the fish of the seas. I can't imagine the heartache experienced in that Cove every fall. As long as is necessary, I will continue to shout for the dolphins, for the whales, for the fish, for the end of this unnecessary slaughter.
