Movie Review: From Sky To Sea

Movie Review: From Sky To Sea

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If life in general has got you feeling flat, I highly recommend you get along to see From Sky To Sea. Filled with stunning scenery of dolphins, whales and other marine life, the movie is a sheer delight for your eyes, and the story of the man behind the camera will leave a lasting impact on your soul.

In 2008, aged 17 Jaimen Hudson was doing what many boys that age do, race around the sand dunes on a motorbike with his mates. Then the accident happened and life began as a quadriplegic. We’ve heard these kinds of stories before, but it’s what happened next that makes his story so unique and worth seeking out.

Before the accident Jaimen had helped out in the family business, a dive school in Esperance. After years of hard work he returned to the family business, working in the shop learning new software that would enable him to take on a managerial role.

“The work distracted me to things I can achieve,” explained Jaimen.

Throughout the years his passion for the sea and sea life never dwindled, but confined to a wheelchair, his days of scuba diving and admiring the marine life up close were over, or were they?

Thanks to advances in technology Jaimen was able to watch dolphins, seals and whales go about their day as never before. Late in 2014 he began getting interested in drone photography and videography, eventually purchasing a GoPro in 2015.

Armed with the drone, and someone to drive him to key locations, there was no stopping him. Once they spotted some activity in the ocean they’d pull over and send up the drone. Having to work at high speed though, to capture the moment before it was gone, he’d often film from inside the van. The results were stunning. However it wasn’t enough to keep this vision for himself, Jaimen started opening up this hidden world to the rest of us. By 2015 he was a global social media sensation, with his videos of whales and dolphins being viewed over 6 million times. You’d think that would be enough, but no. He had two more goals:

  1. To film whales up close;
  2. To become the world’s first underwater cinematographer with quadriplegia.

The film charts Jaimen’s progress, from having to increase his fitness, to understanding thermal control, reacquainting himself with the water and scuba gear.

We also watch him find solutions to problems such as his lack of balance while out at sea on a small boat. The solution was to strap him onto a chair which was then strapped onto the very small boat. If the boat went down so did he. Well I guess that’s one solution.

Jaimen’s positivity, determination, cheeky personality and captivating laugh is on show throughout the movie. Comments such as “eventually you forget your old life and get on with the new one”, sums up his positivity. It is something anyone who has experienced hardship can relate to. But it’s also a great lesson for anyone in the midst of tough times.

From Sky To Sea explores issues of persistence, rebirth, teamwork, technology, the connection between humans and marine life and bravery. Though he probably wouldn’t accept the compliment, he is one very strong, brave man. So too his amazing support team from his wife, his parents and friends. They must have been so concerned and yet they all rallied to help him in his pursuits. That’s true love and friendship. Jaimen wanted to remind people that the world is a good place and he certainly did that.

Obviously the imagery was always going to be stunning. Our gorgeous turquoise water is a reminder of how lucky we are to live here and the whale water ballet performed off Rottnest amplified these feelings.

The movie is a reminder that almost anything is possible if we are prepared to work hard and have good support around us. It also points to what can happen when time meets the man. How lucky are we to live in a time when technology is helping people with disabilities live BIG lives. I can’t wait to see what else people come up with. There is also a good lesson about making a distinction between wife versus carer, something that can save a relationship.

The final scenes are mesmerising. They left me with an overwhelming sense of wonder. I won’t tell you what happens, but I will say that with the luxury of watching the movie at home, I admit to watching it several times over. Even my cat was mesmerised and not just at the fish.

The ending is a nice reminder that this is a true life story not a Hollywood adaptation, and is all the better for it. See it on the big screen. Be warned, it will make you wonder what you’ve been doing with your life.

Rating 9/10