What happened to diver Stephen Keenan?
On July 22, 2017, tragedy struck diver Stephen Keenan while on a freediving trip to The Blue Hole, a dangerous sinkhole in Dahab, Egypt. He acted as a safety diver when his partner, Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini, attempted to descend into the 56-meter-deep Arch Tunnel inside the Blue Hole.
The conditions that day were less than ideal, with poor visibility and strong winds causing strong currents. Despite the challenging conditions, Zekini began the dive, but she experienced disorientation during her descent. Keenan reacted quickly, rushing to a depth of about 50 meters (164 feet) to her aid and began using his fins to bring her to the surface.
Thankfully, Zekini made it back to the surface unscathed, but tragically, Keenan passed out underwater at an unknown depth during the ascent. He was found floating in the water, face down and unresponsive. Despite multiple attempts by rescuers to revive him, Keenan unfortunately died.
It is believed Keenan suffered a blackout in the water during the final 10 meters (32 feet) of ascent, an extremely dangerous situation for a freediver. There were brief delays in Keenan’s rescue efforts due to the location where Keenan and Zechini surfaced, and he died en route to the hospital.
The freediving community is deeply saddened by the passing of Stephen Keenan. He is highly regarded as a safety diver and has earned a reputation for his expertise in ensuring the safety of other divers during various freediving activities.
Tributes have been paid to him by many people from around the world, with people expressing their admiration for his dedication and the support he provided to freedivers. His death has left a void in the sport and his contribution to the community is fondly remembered by those who knew him.
Despite losing her safety diver and partner, Alessia Zecchini continued her freediving career with great success, setting a new world record in the sport.
Deepest Breath movie review
The Deepest Breath is a riveting and visually stunning documentary that delves into the world of freediving, an extreme sport in which people dive to the depths of the ocean without the use of oxygen tanks or scuba gear. . Directed by Laura McGann, the film tells the story of two freedivers, Alessia Zerchini and Stephen Keenan, as they pursue their dreams and face the life and death inherent in their chosen sport risk.
The documentary deftly weaves together alternating narrative tracks that introduce us to Zecchini and Keenan from Italy and Ireland respectively. Zecchini’s passion for freediving began at a young age, inspired by the legendary Natalia Molchanova, whose disappearance during a dive shocked the freediving world and left Zecchini (Zecchini) realizes the dangers she faces in her pursuit.
Keenan, on the other hand, found freediving to be the turning point in his life that led him to become a skilled safety diver, supporting and training other divers. “The Deepest Breath” showcases the stunning underwater world through mesmerizing cinematography, providing viewers with awe-inspiring and terrifying freediving experiences.
The film emphasizes the psychological aspects of the sport, emphasizing the mental relaxation and instant awareness that freedivers need when they block out all distractions and focus on their dive. Zekini’s ambition and determination to become a world champion made her an intense and moody figure, even among other freedivers.
However, her meeting with Keenan during a race in the Bahamas strengthened their bond. Keenan’s expertise as a safety diver helped Zekini overcome challenges and she broke the world record, cementing their partnership and adding a love story element to the documentary.
The Deepest Breath also explores the risks involved in freediving, with divers facing potential brain and lung damage, lung crushing and underwater blackouts. Safety divers play a vital role in rescuing unconscious divers, and this documentary shows the tense moments as the divers resurface and struggle to regain consciousness.
The film highlights the camaraderie among the tight-knit freediving community as divers have a unique connection and understanding of the dangers and rewards of the sport. Interviews with Zecchini, Keenan and other freedivers provide insight into their motivations, fears and passions that drive them to pursue this extreme sport.
The Deepest Breath effectively conveys the profound impact freediving had on the lives of these athletes and their families, portraying their pursuit as a fascinating blend of fear and euphoria. The film’s hauntingly eerie tone, along with stunning underwater footage, captures the ethereal beauty and dangers of freediving, illustrating why these men go to extremes and risks that most would fear.
Overall, The Deepest Breath is an eloquent and emotionally charged documentary that sheds light on the extraordinary world of freediving, showcasing the courage, determination and deep emotional connections of those who dare to explore the depths of the ocean.
Combining real-life footage, personal recordings and interviews, the film takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey into the silence and tranquility of the ocean’s deepest waters, where freedivers test the limits of human ability and understanding. The Deepest Breath is available to watch online on Netflix and is a must-watch for anyone wanting to explore the fascinating and dangerous world of extreme sports.
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“The Deepest Breath”: Netflix
The Deepest Breath, a captivating documentary from Netflix and A24, immerses viewers in the world of freediving, an extreme sport in which people rely solely on a single breath without the use of oxygen tanks or scuba gear. Can be submerged underwater.
The film follows the lives of two elite freedivers, Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan, as they pursue their passion to push the limits of human ability and face the risks inherent in their chosen sport . The documentary effectively establishes the high stakes and dangers of freediving through interviews with Zekini and Keenan’s parents, who expressed acceptance of the risks involved in their children’s pursuits.
The film’s narrative strategy focuses on the suspense surrounding the possibility of tragedy, keeping the audience on edge as they wonder who might be affected and how. Freediving is an extremely dangerous sport because divers are starved of oxygen at extreme depths and may risk fainting and bleeding from the lungs.
The film deftly showcases the underwater world through mesmerizing visuals, emphasizing the appeal of the eerily tranquil depths these athletes are willing to explore. Ambitious Italian free diver Zerchini and Irish safety diver Keenan become the main characters of this documentary, depicted mainly through previously filmed footage.
The film follows their respective journeys in the world of freediving, detailing Zekini’s relentless pursuit of world records and Keenan’s expertise in guiding and rescuing divers in distress. Director Laura McGann deftly blends intimate footage with stunning underwater visuals to give viewers a true look into the freediving subculture and the powerful drive of those who bravely embrace the dangers inherent in their passion .
The film depicts the interconnectedness of the freediving community, where the loss of peers and friends is a tragic but acceptable reality. Over the course of the documentary’s nearly two hours, the film builds unstoppable momentum, revealing the deep connection Zechini and Keenan shared as they fell in love over a shared obsession with freediving.
It explores the concept of living on the edge of death, where the pursuit of passion is accompanied by the ever-present specter of death. Striking a delicate balance between suspense and manipulation, The Deepest Breath crafts a poignant and thought-provoking narrative that evokes fascination and horror.
It blends archival material, reenactments and competition footage to create a vivid, immersive portrait of the world of freediving. The Deepest Breath is a visually stunning and emotionally charged documentary celebrating the courage of elite freedivers such as Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan , resilience and the unyielding pursuit of passion.
This film allows the audience to deeply appreciate the charm of the underwater world and the extraordinary people who dare to challenge the limits of human abilities and pursue the ultimate freedom underwater. This is a powerful and captivating watch that gives you an unforgettable glimpse into the extreme sport of freediving.
What are some movies about deep freediving?
“The Deepest Breath” is a gripping documentary that delves into the world of deep freediving – an extreme sport in which people dive underwater without scuba gear and rely only on a single breath to explore the depths. The film revolves around the lives of two elite freedivers, Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan, and their extraordinary and fateful journeys in pursuit of their passion.
Freediving is an extremely dangerous sport, with divers facing risks such as blackouts and bleeding in the lungs when starved of oxygen at extreme depths. The documentary effectively establishes the high stakes and dangers of freediving through interviews with Zekini and Keenan’s parents, who acknowledge the risks inherent in the path their children have chosen.
The filmmakers skillfully use suspense as a storytelling strategy to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, wondering about the fate of these exceptional athletes and the tragedies that may occur as they push the limits of human capability in the pursuit of their sport.
This documentary provides a stunning and intimate look into the world of deep freediving. The underwater scenes are both intense and serene, capturing the stunning tranquility of the deep ocean and the intense concentration required to freediving at the highest levels.
Alessia Zecchini, the Italian freediving champion with numerous honors and records, becomes the central figure in the film. Her determination and dominance in the sport drove her to compete with herself, constantly breaking her own records with every dive. Zecchini’s journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication and ambition.
Irish safety diver and adventurer Stephen Keenan plays a key role in the documentary. A respected figure in the freediving community, Keenan assisted Zechini with her training, guidance and support as she attempted a particularly dangerous world record.
The film captures the essence of freediving, highlighting the physical strength, mental determination and trust required to excel in the sport. It reveals rigorous training methods, including segmented breathing and “pulmonary contractions,” that enable athletes to hold their breath for extended periods of time.
“The Deepest Breath” is more than just a sports documentary; This is a love story between two people whose lives intersect due to a shared passion. The film beautifully explores the deep connection between Zechini and Keenan, showcasing the bond they form as they navigate the challenges and dangers of freediving together.
Director Laura McGann’s visually stunning and emotionally rich film takes viewers on a fascinating journey into the deep world of freediving. It celebrates the courage, resilience and indomitable spirit of these exceptional athletes, providing a compelling and unforgettable look at extreme sports and the depth of humanity’s pursuit of passion and transcendence beneath the waves.
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