The plight of the pilot whale in the Faroe Islands is the center of the documentary A Taste of Whale. While at the outset any viewer may be totally opposed to this practice due to its unchecked truculence, director Vincent Kelner is adept at presenting multiple arguments both for and against this practice. Ultimately, Kelner raises questions about our humanity and the ethical ramifications of what we eat.
The Islands consist of about 50,000 people, and Kelner stresses that these whale hunts are beneficial to the population since these creatures are so immense that they can feed a multitude of people. The Sea Shepherd Conversation Society, while admitting this benefit, has in recent years advocated for changes including more merciful exterminations. The battle between these vegan-eating advocates vs. the Faroe natives drives much of the story, yet there’s much more going on here.
“The Grind” as the locals call this hunt may soon be…grinding to a halt. Local officials have determined the pilot whales have been exposed to so much pollution their meat and blubber may be inedible, and these whales may be saved due to environmental interference. This is a somewhat soul-crushing denouement, as the practice may end out of self-preservation for the people of the Islands instead of concern for the whales.
For such a violent subject, the film isn’t overly gory, yet Kelner does include scenes of the Grind as well as scenes of food factory processing (as a way to demonstrate that the Grind may generate outcry because it’s something people can witness in public). Kelner very easily could have condemned the people of the Islands for this practice, yet his subjects provide a balance for both sides.
You have native Faroe Islanders defending the practice, saying they’re eating local and avoiding issues with food processing and production. You also have conservationists decrying the practice. Both make their points, and, ultimately, the viewer can decide for themselves who is right and wrong. The film would be suitable for students studying native populations, marine biology, and public health. It would also work well for library presentations on veganism and alternative forms of eating.