Inspired by Natalia Molchanova, Alessia Zecchini, from as early as 13, wanted to be the world’s best freediver.
Molchanova started freediving at the age of 40 and went on to become “possibly the world’s greatest freediver”, achieving 42 world records and earning 22 world championship medals, 19 of which were gold.
She could hold her breath for an astonishing nine minutes and two seconds and had the world record for many years with an incredible 101m dive. To put this in perspective, that’s swimming two stacked Statues of Liberty from the ground to the torch, back and forth, in one single breath! Wild, if you ask me!
The Deepest Breath is a 2023 documentary film directed by Laura McGann. It takes us into the breathtaking yet dangerous world of freediving and follows the journey of Italian freediver Zecchini as she tries to set new world records.
Freediving is an extreme sport where athletes dive deep into the ocean with a single breath, pushing their bodies to the limit.
“The Deepest Breath took my breath away and inspired in ways I didn’t see coming. Laura McGann is a cinematic magician!” wrote Carla Renata for The Curvy Film Critic.
The documentary perfectly mixes interviews, archival footage and breathtaking underwater shots, making it a thrilling and captivating watch. Seeing the divers move gracefully and effortlessly in the water against the most stunning views gives you a new appreciation for our planet’s beauty and makes you want to get in the water, too.
“The Deepest Breath is gorgeously shot with incredible underwater visuals that perfectly capture the exhilaration and terror of freediving to provide an understanding of why Alessia and her fellow divers are drawn to the darkness of the sea”, wrote Jillian Chilingerian for Offscreen With Jillian.
The documentary brilliantly showcases freedivers’ physical and psychological challenges, where the slightest mistake can have fatal consequences. Zecchini’s journey to become the world’s best freediver is both inspiring and gripping.
Zecchini described how she felt during a dive.
“The deeper I am diving, the more pressure compresses the air in my lungs until my lungs are the size of my fist,” she said.
“After 30m, the pressure pushes me down. It’s called the free fall. And this is, for me, the best part. It feels like you are flying.
“The silence, it’s unique. It’s like being in the last quiet place on Earth.”
Ultimately, The Deepest Breath isn’t just about freediving. It’s a documentary about the freedom provided by relentlessly pursuing your dreams; it’s a celebration of our untameable resilience, the spirit of adventure we all have in us, the deep bonds we can form with our environment, and the drive to achieve our goals no matter what in the divine quest for greatness.
If you need further convincing, The Deepest Breath has won seven awards from 14 nominations. It also has a 93 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Deepest Breath is available on Netflix.
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