Check out this underwater bromance..
The story of an unlikely bond between a man and a sea creature.
It’s a tale as strange and mesmerizing as the ocean itself.
Here’s what happens when a guy befriends an octopus in the South African kelp forests.
I currently rank it #1 in my list of “The Best Octopus Documentaries” (12 in all!).
Trailer for “My Octopus Teacher”
Watch “My Octopus Teacher”
Watch My Octopus Teacher on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/81045007 .
It’s a Netflix original film so it’s not on any other streaming site.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 97/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.1 /10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 91/100 (Users); 93/100 (Critics)
Release Date: September 7, 2020
My Review of “My Octopus Teacher”
A man befriends an octopus and finds himself transformed.
“My Octopus Teacher” is a deeply personal journey of discovery.
Director Pippa Ehrlich takes us on an extraordinary adventure beneath the waves. The star? A curious octopus living in a South African kelp forest.
Craig Foster is our guide. He’s a filmmaker battling burnout and seeking connection.
Every day for a year, he free-dives in the frigid Atlantic. No wetsuit. No scuba gear. Just a man and his camera.
Then he meets her. An octopus, cautious but intrigued. Foster visits daily, observing her world.
She hunts.
She hides.
She outsmarts predators with astounding intelligence.
The bond deepens. Foster’s wonder is contagious. You’ll find yourself rooting for this eight-armed marvel. Her life span? A mere 12 months. Every moment counts.
The cinematography is breathtaking. Crystal-clear waters reveal a bustling underwater metropolis. Forests of kelp sway hypnotically. Colorful fish dart between fronds.
But it’s the intimate moments that captivate. The octopus reaching out a tentative arm to touch Foster.
Her playful antics as she rides on the back of a shark to evade capture. The clever use of shells as armor against danger.
This isn’t just a nature doc. It’s a story of healing. Foster’s daily swims become a form of therapy. His connection with the octopus reawakens his zest for life. It mends his relationship with his son.
The film clocks in at 85 minutes. It feels both epic and intimate. You’ll learn fascinating octopus facts.
Did you know they have three hearts and blue blood? Or that they can change color and texture in an instant?
But “My Octopus Teacher” goes deeper. It explores themes of connection, mindfulness, and our place in nature. Foster’s narration is poetic without being preachy. He’s a man transformed by an unlikely friendship.
The doc doesn’t shy away from nature’s harsh realities. Predators lurk.
The octopus faces life-threatening challenges. Her intelligence is her lifeline. You’ll hold your breath during nail-biting encounters with pyjama sharks.
Behind the scenes, the filming process was grueling. Foster spent over 3,000 hours in the water. He battled near-hypothermia and dangerous currents. His dedication paid off in unparalleled footage.
The kelp forest isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a character in its own right. This ecosystem is under threat from climate change and overfishing. The film subtly highlights its importance without lecturing.
Foster’s approach is controversial among some scientists. Getting too close to wildlife is generally frowned upon. But his non-interventionist stance and respect for the octopus’s autonomy set him apart.
The film’s impact has been far-reaching. It’s sparked a renewed interest in ocean conservation. Viewers report changing their seafood consumption habits after watching. Marine biologists praise its scientific accuracy and emotional resonance.
“My Octopus Teacher” isn’t just entertainment. It’s an invitation to reconnect with the natural world. To observe. To wonder. To protect.
Critics have praised the doc’s emotional depth.
Some compare Foster’s journey to a spiritual awakening. Others see parallels with interspecies friendships like Dian Fossey and her gorillas.
I just think it’s a plain great story with awesome footage.
And it’s got a “Damn, could this story really happen?”
But it did!
The film’s success was unexpected. It won the 2021 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It beat out hard-hitting competitors tackling social and political issues. Proof that sometimes, a quiet story of connection can resonate loudest.
Foster’s daily dives became a family affair. His son Tom, initially reluctant, eventually joined him. The experience rekindled their bond and inspired Tom’s own filmmaking career.
The octopus’s den became a hub of activity. Foster observed seahorses, shark eggs, and even a rarely-seen paper nautilus seeking shelter there. Each visit revealed new wonders.
Post-production took three years. The team sifted through hundreds of hours of footage. They crafted a narrative that balances scientific insight with emotional storytelling. The result feels both informative and deeply moving.
The octopus’s intelligence is astonishing. With brainpower comparable to a cat or dog, she problem-solves on screen. We witness her collecting over 100 shells, creating an ingenious armor against predators.
Survival in the kelp forest is brutal. A shark attack costs the octopus an arm. Foster documents her struggle to return home and the miraculous regeneration of her lost limb.
The octopus’s escape tactics are jaw-dropping. In one scene, she flees a shark by briefly leaving the water. Another time, she hitches a ride on her pursuer’s back before making a daring leap to safety.
Foster’s connection with nature runs deep. Like renowned wildlife enthusiast Bob, who famously cradled injured squirrels and raccoons, Foster’s gentle approach earns the octopus’s trust.
The film inspired Foster to co-found the Sea Change Project. This community is dedicated to protecting the Great African Seaforest, ensuring future generations can experience its wonders.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc