Still from the short film “One Breath Around the World” by Julie Gautier and Guillaume Néry.
While Guillaume and Julie’s work is without a doubt breathtaking and awe-inspiring, it’s also the perfect provocation of fear of the deep.
Seeing Guillaume diving into the depths of the ocean on a single breath is unsettling. The idea of being so deep underwater with no breathing equipment can be a terrifying thought for many people. A lone human, without equipment, relying solely on their own lung capacity to survive, is an unusual contrast against the infinite deep around them.
The ocean is a vast and mysterious place, and much of it remains unexplored. When you see Guillaume diving into submerged ruins or swimming beneath a thick sheet of ice, it’s hard not to feel a sense of unease. They are, in many cases, exploring parts of the ocean that few people have ever seen before.
While they are highly experienced freedivers, their work still involves a significant amount of risk. They are pushing their bodies to the limit, and the consequences of a mistake can be severe. When you see Guillaume swimming alongside sleeping sperm whales, it can be both mesmerizing and eerie. The fact that these massive creatures are just sleeping there in the deep adds to the sense of mystery and fear surrounding this work.
