Every decision we make on this earth, whether on land or sea, is left to some degree of chance. Even with years of experience, we can never truly predict with full certainty the outcome of a situation. Yet in some ways, this unpredictability is part of the beauty of life. Happenstance is what brought Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan together, and fate is why their story is so painstakingly tragic. To bring this story to life, director Laura McGann takes audiences on an emotionally-stirring and reflective journey throughout the lives of these two sea-bound soulmates in the documentary The Deepest Breath, now streaming on Netflix.
On the surface, The Deepest Breath can be described as a tragic love story between a world-champion Italian freediver, Alessia Zecchini, and her Irish safety expert coach, Stephen Keenan. But dive a little deeper, and you’ll soon discover that it’s so much more than that. This film tells a poignant story about pushing the limits of the human body – mentally and physically – and the vulnerability that it takes to surrender everything in the name of love.
From the very first frame, audiences are submerged into the little-known world of freediving. Don’t be surprised if you catch yourself attempting to hold your breath simultaneously with the divers on screen, as I subconsciously did. My pathetic 45 seconds compared to their nearly four minutes is laughable, and really puts into perspective why freediving is highly considered by many athletes to be the most dangerous sport in the world.
Alessia Zecchini meets this challenge head-on as she competes for the title of world champion freediver. Her dedication to the sport is admirable, if not foolish at times. Throughout the film, we witness her compete in different exotic tropical locations, whose beauty is often overshadowed by the deadly activity happening underneath the water. Plunging hundreds of feet downward with a single breath leads to occasional blackouts, where bodies are pulled to the surface by expert divers and given lifesaving treatments like CPR. Given the circumstances, there is no doubt that the bond between a diver and their safety expert is a precious one. Alessia and Stephen prove this ten times over throughout the film and their intimate moments are such a privilege to witness.
The crux of The Deepest Breath takes place in the moments between an inhale and an exhale. A mere matter of seconds can feel like a lifetime when one is submerged hundreds of feet in the ocean. Director Laura McGann has complete control of the emotional power of the story, which is complemented by the beautifully layered score by Nainita Desai. Produced by John Battsek of Ventureland, in association with A24, Motive Films, and RAW, The Deepest Breath is a full-bodied viewing experience and an incredible homage to those who are willing to risk it all for their dream.
Now streaming on Netflix.
