13/12

In “The Last Women of the Sea,” an extraordinary group of feisty warrior grandmothers wage a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats. Often called real-life mermaids, the haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island are famous for centuries of diving to the bottom of the ocean, without oxygen, to gather seafood for their livelihood. Today, when most haenyeo are 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, aided by a younger generation’s fight to revive their ancestral way of life through social media. Examining what motivates haenyeo young and old, this moving documentary focuses on their close friendships, clever independence and infectious sense of empowerment, unfolding into an inspiring story of women taking on world powers to protect their beloved ocean and inspire a new generation.