MOVIE REVIEW
The Last of the Sea Women
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Sue Kim
Where To Watch: available on Apple TV+ October 11, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: In director Sue Kim's debut, THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN, the ancient craft of the haenyeo, South Korea's famed sea divers, is brought to the screen. Embodying centuries of tradition, these women dive into the ocean's depths with nothing but their breath, emerging with treasures from beneath the waves. Their story is one of resilience and adaptation, capturing the spirit of a community battling environmental and cultural erosion with grace and tenacity. Their “tools” are a wetsuit, diving mask, fins, gloves, chest weights (to assist diving), an L-shaped weeding hoe, and a net attached to a flotation device.

The documentary sets its stage with breathtaking visuals of Jeju Island, where these divers don their suits like seasoned warriors. The early scenes are a quiet invitation into their world, juxtaposed against a landscape that is as ethereal as it is imposing. Through the lens of A24 and Malala Yousafzai's Extracurricular, the film melds the island's haunting beauty with the narrative of these women, crafting a tale that celebrates their bond with the natural world around them.

THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN is more than just a visual feast. It probes deep into the socio-economic and environmental adversities these women face. From a thriving group of 30,000 in the 1960s to just 4,000 today, the haenyeo are under siege by age, environmental degradation, and global climate challenges. The film explores these threats in a manner that calls for immediate action, urging audiences to acknowledge the need to preserve this unique cultural and natural heritage.

Kim's approach to storytelling is grand and intimate, floating through the narrative with a style that mirrors the ebb and flow of the sea itself. This fluid storytelling technique captures the haenyeo's life rhythms and is a direct call to action.

Personal stories of adversity are threaded throughout the narrative, lending a human element to the environmental discourse. One poignant subplot follows Joo Hwa Kang, a diver whose career is jeopardized by injury. In contrast, rays of hope shine through younger divers like Sohee Jin and Jeongmin Woo, who use social media to blend tradition with modernity, catalyzing a movement to rejuvenate and honor their heritage.

Amplifying its message, the film also focuses on female empowerment within this matrilineal society. It highlights how these women are cultural custodians and pivotal economic figures. The predominantly female production team reflects this matriarchal essence, enhancing the documentary’s authenticity and feminist angle.

As the narrative of THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN winds down, it leaves the audience in a contemplative state, pondering the future of the haenyeo amid looming ecological crises. The unresolved threats, particularly the potential repercussions of the Fukushima disaster, underscore the urgency of the haenyeo's predicament, framing their struggle as a microcosm of global environmental challenges.

Kim's film is a profound ode to the enduring spirit of the haenyeo, their relentless bravery, and their symbiotic relationship with the ocean. THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN is a rallying cry for environmental and cultural conservation. It is a must-watch for anyone invested in the future of our planet and its ancient traditions. It invites viewers to delve into a world where the legacy of the sea is preserved not just for the benefit of the haenyeo but for humanity.

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[photo courtesy of APPLE TV+]

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