20/26
In The Last of the Sea Women, an extraordinary group of warrior grandmothers wage a courageous fight against the ocean’s vast threats. Often referred to as true mermaids, the haenyo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island have been known for centuries for diving to the seabed without oxygen to make a living gathering seafood. Today, with most haenyo in their 60s, 70s and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny and hard-working women refuse to give an inch, helped by the younger generation’s fight to revive their ancestral lifestyle via social media. This poignant documentary gives a glimpse into what drives haenyeo young and old, focusing on their close friendships, smart independence and infectious sense of self-determination. It unfolds in an inspiring story of women taking on global powers to protect their beloved sea and inspire a new generation.