Breathing Underwater

In Jeju Province located off the southern coast of Korea are the women of the sea those who hold breath for life These women still exist and they still dive the old way without tanks They go into the waters of 10 to 20meter depth to harvest seaweed and shellfish to make a living They make a living in the same sea but each haenyeos sea of life is different The community is divided into three tiers Group A B and C based on skills and capabilities Ones rank is determined by sum or breath Sum is predetermined at birth Therefore sum is desired However the ocean is harsh May you desire But seek what is not yours the ocean will devour you Life for these women of the sea is about holding ones breath and containing and controlling ones desire The film is a six year record of the lives of the haenyeos in Udo an islet in the province of Jeju known to be the birthplace of haenyeo It is a close look into the lives that stand on the boundary of life and death