The Last of the Sea Women, directed by Sue Kim and co-produced by Malala Yousafzai, is a documentary about the haenyeo, or female free divers from South Korea’s Jeju Island. These extraordinary ladies have spent centuries collecting seafood without oxygen tanks, which is both a cultural tradition and an economic need.
However, while the documentary sheds light on the haenyeo’s rich past and current problems, it fails to effectively address the severe ecological issues that endanger their way of existence. If you’re wondering if this new documentary is worth watching, keep reading this review of The Last of the Sea Women.
The Unsung Heroes of Jeju Island shown in The Last of the Sea Women
The Last of the Sea Women is about the haenyeo tradition. It is a UNESCO-designated cultural property that represents resilience, strength, and a deep connection to the ocean. In the 1960s, the number of these divers peaked at over 30,000.
Today, the number has dropped to around 3,200, mostly older women in their 60s and 70s. The film highlights their perseverance and dedication to their task, highlighting the physical and emotional hurdles they endure as they continue to dive deep into the water, holding their breath for up to two minutes to collect seafood.
The Last of the Sea Women tackles the critical topic of environmental deterioration, namely the effects of climate change and pollution on marine life. One key incident addressed is Japan’s contentious decision to transfer radioactively tainted water from the Fukushima nuclear power facility into the ocean.
The haenyeo, cognizant of the threats to their livelihoods and the ocean’s health, gather together to fight this activity. However, the documentary fails to provide solid updates on the outcome of their efforts, leaving viewers craving answers.
How The Documentary Portrays The Haenyeo
While The Last of the Sea Women does depict some of the haenyeo’s points of view, it frequently avoids in-depth explorations of the issues they encounter. For example, younger divers indicate an interest in using oxygen tanks, raising practical concerns about the sustainability of their conventional practices.
However, the documentary does not sufficiently address this issue or provide statistics on the success of initiatives to draw younger women to the industry. In addition, the documentary’s ending moments ignore the serious ecological concerns that affect the haenyeo, instead focusing on “upbeat images” of them at work.
This decision detracts from the intensity of the issues at hand, leaving viewers with an insufficient understanding of the real-life ramifications of the divers’ hardships.
How Is It Overall?
Despite its flaws, The Last of the Sea Women portrays the haenyeo as heroic people who exemplify courage, community, and a devotion to environmental responsibility.
The documentary clearly portrays their delight, solidarity, and commitment to preserve their cultural heritage for future generations. The younger haenyeo, who use social media to share their work and advocate for their traditions, provide a ray of hope for the future.
The Last Of The Sea Women provides an introduction to the haenyeo and their fascinating narrative. It emphasizes the value of cultural preservation and environmental advocacy. However, it ultimately lacks the depth required to truly connect with the difficult issues they confront.
The film highlights important themes about sustainability and ecological responsibility, but it does not provide satisfying solutions or a clear closure, leaving viewers with an unfulfilled need for more.
Conclusion
The Last of the Sea Women provides a captivating peek into the haenyeo’s existence, highlighting their courage, resilience, and commitment to preserving their centuries-old heritage. While it successfully emphasizes the cultural and environmental significance of these freedivers, the video fails to address the haenyeo’s underlying ecological threats and uncertain future.
Despite this, the film leaves viewers with a greater appreciation for Jeju Island’s unsung heroines, however, it could have probed deeper into the obstacles they face and provided more conclusive ideas about how to preserve their legacy.