31/10
In “The Last Women of the Sea,” an extraordinary group of fiery warrior grandmothers wage a spirited battle against vast ocean threats. Often referred to as real-life mermaids, the haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island are renowned for plunging to the ocean floor for centuries—without oxygen—to harvest seafood for a living. Now, with most haenyeo in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny, and hardworking women refuse to give up an inch, aided by a younger generation’s fight to revive their ancestral way of life through social media. Exploring what motivates Haenyeo young and old, this moving documentary focuses on their tight-knit friendships, savvy independence, and infectious sense of empowerment, unfolding into an uplifting story of women taking on global powers to protect their beloved ocean and inspire a new generation.