As a filmmaker I constantly find myself drawn to underdog stories, tales of impossible achievement, in fantastical worlds.
After working as a 2nd-unit director on the BAFTA-nominated film The Eagle Huntress I was inspired to make my own documentary set in a far away land, focusing on the relationship between humans and animals. I began to hunt for a story and found myself gravitating towards the ocean, a real world portal to an entirely new realm.
My journey led me to freedivers Christina and Eusebio. I discovered them via their Instagram page and I was immediately struck by the otherworldly quality of their work. I made contact, explained my ambitions, and before long I was on a flight to Ibiza to begin shooting.
It was a tough shoot. Time was limited and so was the footage. But this initial setback would prove to be the making of the film. Eusebio and Christina gave me access to their personal footage and I realised that what they had to offer was far more powerful than anything I could have shot. It was like reading a diary. An intimate visual dialogue between trainer and student, husband and wife. It was in that moment that I found the heart of the film.
The nature of filming as a freediver, without oxygen masks, meant that their personal archive was brimming with unique wildlife photography. They were able to capture up-close moments with dolphins and sharks that would be near impossible to achieve with regular diving equipment.
The film is about to start it's festival circuit and will be released at the end of next year.
One Breath has been two years in the making. A passion project fuelled by my desire to inspire wonder and respect for the natural world, and our place within it. I can’t wait to share it with the world!