Diving into the Darkness takes you to another world deep below the earth's surface and one into which most humans will never venture. This gripping documentary about cave diving is so much more than an exploration of one of the most dangerous of human activities; it is also the captivating story of one woman's determined purpose to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge in a field traditionally dominated by men.
At the heart of this compelling feature is Jill Heinerth, a pioneering, multi-award-winning underwater explorer. We get to know Jill through her own engaging first-person narration; insights shared by family, friends and colleagues; and through animated re-enactments of pivotal personal experiences. What we learn about Jill's engrossing life trajectory over the course of this film is heartwarming, confronting, moving and truly inspirational.
Artful, daring cinematography transports you viscerally into the almost mystical underwater realms Jill penetrates, intricate cave systems of both exquisite beauty and extreme peril. As we marvel at the jaw-dropping scenery - which literally takes the breath away - we are made acutely aware of the supremely hazardous nature of these subterranean expeditions filmed on location in different parts of the world. Getting lost in these unexplored caverns and crevices, faulty technology/equipment, and the limits of psychological and physical endurance can be lethal, so as we accompany Jill and her fellow divers into these claustrophobic depths, the danger feels all too real and the suspense at times overpowering. How the director and his crew managed to capture this extraordinary footage is a feat in itself.
I knew virtually nothing about cave diving before watching Diving Into the Darkness, so this film was a surprising and rewarding revelation. And by the end of it, you admire Jill Heinerth as an accomplished explorer and as an all-round impressive human being so much that you wonder why she isn't more widely known. Thank goodness this thoughtfully told, masterfully crafted documentary will ensure she gets the recognition she deserves.
A film for anyone and everyone!
