Breathing Underwater

In the crystal-clear waters of Jeju Province, a group of women known as the 'haenyeos' have been diving for seaweed and shellfish without modern equipment for generations. Their lives are a delicate balance between life and death, as they hold their breath for long periods to make a living. The community is divided into three tiers based on skill and ability, with one's rank determined by their 'sum,' or natural breathing ability. But as they dive deeper into the ocean, they must also navigate the challenges of desire, ambition, and tradition. Through stunning visuals and intimate portraits, this documentary takes you on a six-year journey into the lives of these remarkable women who hold their breath for a living, and reveals the harsh realities of their existence on the edge of life and death.

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Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Breathing Underwater include On Putin's Blacklist, Blackfish, The Brainwashing of My Dad, Crossing Bhutan, Ronaldo vs. Messi: Face Off!, Rodents of Unusual Size.