Here is a documentary that shows the depths some would go for their friends.
Diving into the Unknown, directed by Juan Reina, follows a team of Finnish cave divers who are exploring the underwater caves of Plurdalen, Norway. After cutting through ice with a chainsaw, they make a dive to a depth of 130 meters. An accident happens during their excursion, resulting in the deaths of two of their team members. To avoid risking anyone else’s life, the rest of the team abort the dive, leaving their equipment and the bodies of the two fallen.
The loss takes a toll on the survivors, and international rescue teams fail to recover the bodies of the two team members. They abandon the idea of further rescue attempts due to possible danger, and the Norwegian police closed the cave to prevent further accidents. The survivors, however, want the families of their fallen comrades to have a sense of closure. So they a plan a secret, and illegal, expedition to retrieve the bodies.
What is interesting is how the direction of the documentary changes halfway through the film. The original intent of the film was to chronicle the team’s first dive, before things took a turn for the worst. So, the first half contains sit down interviews with the surviving team members, and these interviews don’t carry through into the second half. Although some might find the change in style a bit distracting, the film doesn’t lose focus. We are watching the events happen in real time.
There is a sense of brotherhood between the members of a diving team, just as in any other sport. The brotherhood of these divers is what gives the film its emotional impact. Considering how the first dive ended, the idea of going back down again would make any of them feel uneasy. One diver even admits to damaging his spine on the first trip. However, they feel a strong desire to honor their fallen, and this carries through well in the film.
Reina does a good job of giving the audience the feel of diving along with the team, and the lack of music during the diving scenes help make them all the more ominous and unsettling. The instrumental score by John Erik Kaada is very effective when used against the backdrop of Norway. During the second dive, the team comes across the first dead body. Seeing it float at the top of the cave with the diver’s equipment still attached is a haunting visual.
Diving Into The Unknown is a well-made documentary. Although it feels more destined to be a National Geographic special as opposed to having a theatrical release, it has enough heart to warrant recommendation. In addition, this story has the potential to be made into a dramatic reenactment. I hope it is.
The film had its US Premiere at DOC NYC.
