In ten minutes, Sophie Ansel invites us for a journey into the legacy inherited by 8-years old Yerick, a child amongst a community of fishermen in Cabo Pulmo who became unexpected conservationists when faced the depletion of their marine resources. In an area once described by Jacques Cousteau as the 'Aquarium of the World', the fishermen families of Cabo Pulmo chose to sacrifice the source of their food and income in a revolutionary and dramatic decision: a fishing ban in their own waters in order to encourage marine life to return and find shelter. A rebirth followed, transforming the Cabo Pulmo Marine Park into a hope spot for the planet.
For this journey through space, but also through the time, Sophie had to document the tales of the past and a wholly immersive space, combining animation with 360 underwater and drone technologies.
The result is an intensive and fast-paced experience hard to label, which is its main achievement. If 'Out of the Blue' can be seen as an environmental documentary, it goes further, by changing the traditional format of a linear story to a compelling and emotional imagetic work, with a deeply poetic sense.
For the viewers, it is not only a question of feeling a connection with the family portrayed and the challenges these people have been through, as well as the choices they've made, but also an opportunity to dive into Cabo Pulmo's underwater heritage with magical sea creature encounters, to be closer to wild ocean animals in a way that probably they've never experienced before (thanks to VR and 360 techniques usage).
An inspiring story with an innovative cinematic approach.
Victor Eustaquio/Cult Critic/CICFF