‘Diving Into The Darkness’: Witness the bewildering beauty of the unknown

Daring expeditions always translate into engaging documentaries and Diving Into The Darkness is no exception; this is an extraordinarily beautiful, captivating and inspiring documentary that will have audiences at the edge of their seats.

Jill Heinerth is a Canadian underwater explorer, writer, photographer and speaker. As a child she had the burning desire to be an astronaut when she watched the televised man’s first landing on the moon, but rationalized that if that wasn’t viable, she’d become an ‘Earthbound astronaut’ and explore the magical depths of the ocean.

She became obsessed with underwater cave exploration which was more than a sport for her – it was a calling. Cave diving is regarded more dangerous than military activity, but the complete rush experienced when entering the unknown where nobody has been before is what continues to allure Heinerth further. She claims this is the closest thing to going to another planet.

Since the first exploration where she led a team into the world’s largest underwater cave system in Mexico and mapped 56 kms, she has logged 7500 dives. She journeyed the rough seas to Antarctica from New Zealand and was the first person to undergo cave diving inside an iceberg – the largest iceberg which was the size of Connecticut.

She has attended many funerals of cave divers who have died in the name of exploration, but how does she continue engaging in a sport where over 100 of her friends have gone to die? After a near fatal dive where she suffered decompression sickness her doctor advised her to give up diving which turned her life in half. But could she envisage a life without diving?

Diving Into The Darkness is as mesmerizing to watch as it is frightening. The ideology of being in an unchartered space where you’re all alone with nobody to assist in the event of life-threatening emergencies arising is daunting.

The underwater cinematography is exceptionally entrancing, and animation is effectively utilized in the sequences that relate to past events in Heinerth’s life which led to her path in underwater cave exploration.

Interviews with Jill Heinerth who delivers stories, several adverse, about her experiences while exploring underwater caves are chilling. Several interviews with cave rescuers and diving instructors also offer an insight into Heinerth’s experiences and give credence to her courage and resilience.

This is a remarkable documentary about a sport where scientists learn from the data retrieved about past climate, past civilizations and the unique animals found in the caves.

James Cameron accurately summed up Jill Heinerth’s exploration achievements when he stated: “More people have been to the moon than the places that Jill Heinerth has explored deep inside our watery planet.”

★★★★

In cinemas from Oct 1 – 7 at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace.