Film Review of My Octopus Teacher
Photo courtesy of Pippa Ehrlich - Director, Writer, Photographer - My Octopus Teacher
"A curious, emotional tale of an interspecies friendship and an examination of where humans place ourselves in relation to the natural world, why we often feel as though we are separate from it, and what happens to us when we realize that divide is a myth.” - Emma Stefanksy
If you haven’t seen My Octopus Teacher on Netflix yet, then you should make plans to watch it the next time you’ve got a free hour and a half. It’s the most incredible film I’ve seen all year. I usually don’t enjoy documentaries regardless of how immersive they can be. It’s hard to get into them sometimes even if they’re about a favorite topic of mine.
This film is different from any documentary you’ve ever seen. It tells a story and it’s an emotional rollercoaster that will make you question your perspective. It’s no wonder My Octopus Teacher has won 12 film awards, including an Oscar for “Best Documentary Feature”.
The film follows Craig Foster, a naturalist, on his personal mission to visit his newfound friend every day for an entire year off the coast of Southern Africa in the Great African Seaforest.
It begins with Craig’s tale of depression and search for meaning, but soon turns into a beautiful story of an unlikely friendship that guides him to a new perspective that changes his life. You’ve heard of meaningful relationships with animals changing someone’s life, and perhaps you’ve experienced that yourself with a domesticated pet, but it’s a different thing entirely to be moved by a meaningful relationship with a wild animal.
This documentary has a way of tugging at your heart strings, and I won’t spoil anything for you, but it definitely provides a good cry. I’ve never been much of a crier. If I’m crying it’s because I’m laughing really hard, angry, or pregnant and upset over something simple like a food I’m craving. I define good cries as those that leave you feeling yes, a little sad but also stronger, relieved and somehow enlightened all at the same time.
If your love of nature and animals holds a dear place in your heart, you’ll definitely be moved just like the rest of us. If you’re like Craig Foster was at the beginning of his journey, you’ll likely find yourself on the other end of appreciation just like he did. My Octopus Teacher is a masterpiece and bound to leave a lasting impression.
Photo Courtesy of Netflix
Craig Foster went on to establish the Sea Change Project alongside Ross Frylinck. Through their groundbreaking research of the Great African Seaforest they have uncovered many new species as well as animal behaviors that had never been documented. The field of Marine Biology has benefited tremendously from the hundreds of hours spent underwater by this team of dedicated individuals. Visit their website for more information: Sea Change Project.
Hosting or speaking at an event? Download the guide below for important topics of discussion.
Download the Discussion Guide for My Octopus Teacher from the Sea Change Project.
