My Octopus Teacher

My Octopus Teacher is a heartrending, inspiring, and highly unusual documentary that was released in 2020 to great acclaim. Co-directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, this film provides an intimate look at the unlikely relationship between a man and an octopus in the underwater kelp forests of South Africa, as seen through the eyes of the principal subject of the film: Craig Foster.

To provide a bit of context: Craig Foster is a naturalist and filmmaker who, despite his accomplishments, had hit a low, suffering from burnout and needing a break from the run-of-the-mill life. He finds solace and rejuvenation in free diving in the frigid, underwater kelp forests just off the coast near Cape Town. It is there, in this eerie and unique underwater world that he comes across a common octopus.

The story intertwined in My Octopus Teacher is where the magic truly happens. The film documents a year-long relationship between Craig and the octopus. Formed after a serendipitous encounter, this relationship transcends the conventional predator-prey dynamic to encompass empathy, curiosity, and a shared exploration of the natural underwater world. The octopus, typically an elusive and solitary creature, displays an unprecedented level of trust and familiarity towards Craig, gradually evolving to create an unspoken, poignant bond between man and mollusk.

As Craig immerses himself in the undersea, observing the octopus thrive in its natural habitat, he experiences an awakening and profound change in his own life inspired by the underwater world and its inhabitants. Every dive brings forth remarkable insights into the seemingly alien behaviors the octopus displays-- shapeshifting, changing colors, and using ingenious strategies to survive in a world full of predators.

Octopuses, being invertebrates, are easy to underestimate. Yet as Craig discovers, and as viewers get to see on-screen, they are remarkably intelligent, adaptable and emotion-bearing creatures. To watch an octopus exhibit such recognizable traits is, without a doubt, a fascinating and humbling experience.

Flirting with the line between biology and philosophy, My Octopus Teacher invites viewers to look at these much-misunderstood creatures with a newfound sense of awe and respect. It opens up a universe of thoughts, provoking questions on empathy, the boundaries of consciousness, the nature of intelligence, and the human urge to relate to all creatures.

As the camera glides through clear blue waters, unveiling an ethereal dreamland of kelp forests teeming with a rich diversity of marine life, viewers are treated to a visual spectacle. Combining the observational skills of a naturalist with the storytelling knack of a seasoned filmmaker, Craig Foster’s engaging narration ebbs and flows with the element, redefining the art of storytelling. This is further enhanced by the soulful score by Kevin Smuts which greatly elevates the emotional timbre of the film.

My Octopus Teacher is not just a documentary about an octopus and a man – it is a contemplation on our innate connection with nature and the life-changing lessons it has to offer. As Craig dives deeper into the underwater world, viewers are inspired to consider their own relationship with the natural world and the life forms existing alongside humans in harmony - a poignant reminder in our current climate of environmental uncertainty.

On a grander scale, it is a tribute to the natural world that surrounds us, one that we often overlook. The film encourages us as viewers to slow down, to become aware of the beauty and wisdom enveloping us, and to look upon our co-inhabitants of this earth with reverence and respect.

My Octopus Teacher garnered critical acclaim at its release, receiving an Oscar for Best Documentary feature at the 93rd Academy awards. Its thoughtfulness, unconditional empathy and beautifully crafted underwater sequences transport viewers from their daily lives into an underwater wilderness full of alien beauty.

In sum, My Octopus Teacher is an exceptional tale of relationship, learning, and transformation stitched together with ethereal underwater sequences, pulling at your heartstrings, and leaving you with a sense of invigorating wonder for the world submerged beneath the sea surface. Through Craig's intimate journey, we realize the earth's richness, beauty, and the wisdom it shares, only if we are willing to slow down, connect, and listen.