Imagine if you were told that mermaids actually exist?
Not the mythical creatures with fish tails, but real women who can hold their breath for minutes on end as they dive deep under the sea hundreds of times each day.
These incredible women are the haenyeo divers of South Korea, a tight-knit community of female divers from Jeju Island who have been free-diving (without oxygen) to gather seafood for generations.
Now, with most of these remarkable women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, their ancient traditions and way of life are in jeopardy as fewer young women are taking up the profession, and with the ocean facing uncertain changes.
These challenges inspired US-Korean filmmaker Sue Kim to collaborate with female education advocate and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai to bring their story to the world.
Kim, the daughter of Korean immigrants, first encountered the haenyeo as a child while vacationing in South Korea.
“I was captivated by them – their boldness, vibrancy, and confidence. They were loud, fighting, laughing, and exuding a powerful energy that occupied their space unapologetically,” says Kim.
“I fell in love with their energy as a young girl and remained fascinated by them. They represented a version of Korean womanhood that I admired and aspired to emulate,” she adds.
Malala, a producer on the film, was equally shocked by her lack of knowledge about the haenyeo and immediately agreed to be part of the project.
The urgency to document the haenyeo’s story intensified about a decade ago when Kim learned that this could potentially be the last generation of these remarkable women.
The film captures the haenyeo as they endure their challenging work during the harvest season, showcasing the obstacles they face both in and out of the water.
They brave the waters at 6am daily, diving repeatedly, holding their breath for minutes each time, harvesting for hours, and then preparing their catch for several more hours.
The documentary also explores the historical reasons behind women taking over this traditionally male occupation, with men being scarce due to high mortality rates at sea.
‘Sad grandma trope’
This groundbreaking documentary sheds light on the haenyeo community, a group that has been historically insular.
Kim had to earn their trust by listening and assuring them that she would portray them accurately and respectfully.
She reassured them that she saw them as strong and empowered, not as pitiable figures working into old age.
The risks and challenges faced by the haenyeo are significant, with no insurance available for their dangerous job and the threat of dwindling marine life due to global warming.
The film also delves into the women’s activism against radioactive water from Japan’s Fukushima plant, a fight that takes one of the haenyeos to the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva.
While challenges loom large, the haenyeo continue to harvest marine life responsibly, following regulations to protect the ecosystem and avoiding overfishing by relying on their natural breath-holding abilities.
Despite the obstacles, there is hope for the survival of the haenyeo culture, as the film introduces us to young women who see the profession as a viable career option with flexible hours.
Uno de ellos tuvo que aprender a nadar a la edad de 30 años para hacer el trabajo.
Las mujeres mayores se reúnen con ellas para festivales y protestas – las llaman “sus bebés” mientras ellas son llamadas “tías” a cambio.
Yousafzai está inspirada: “Cuando miro a las haenyeo y cómo trabajan juntas, simplemente me recuerda al trabajo colectivo que las mujeres están haciendo en todas partes, incluyendo la defensa que las mujeres afganas están haciendo para crear conciencia sobre la opresión sistemática que enfrentan”.
“Cuando una niña está viendo este documental, quiero que crea en sí misma y se dé cuenta de que puede hacer cualquier cosa. Puede quedarse bajo el agua durante dos o tres minutos sin oxígeno”, dice. “¡Y por supuesto todavía tengo que tomar algunas clases de natación para aprender a nadar! Estoy en el punto cero, pero me ha inspirado a considerar la natación.”
La Última de las Mujeres del Mar estará disponible en Apple TV+ a partir del 11 de octubre de 2024.
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