There have already been a number of cinematic appears on the famed 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue that saved 12 younger Thai soccer gamers and their coach. First, “Free Solo” Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin helmed Nationwide Geographic documentary “The Rescue.” Then, Ron Howard directed the 2022 biographical drama “13 Lives,” starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton.
Now, one other documentary about what occurred to one of many heroes after the media storm of 2018 enters the fray.
“Deeper,” which is able to premiere on the 2025 SXSW Movie & TV Pageant within the Documentary Highlight part, facilities on anesthetist Dr. Richard Harris, whose method was key to extracting the stranded teen soccer gamers one after the other. (Harris was portrayed by Joel Edgerton in “13 Lives.”)
Jennifer Peedom (“Mountain,” “Sherpa”) writes and directs the documentary, with Alex Barry co-directing. “Deeper” is produced by Blayke Hoffman. Topic Harris govt produces the movie and is credited because the underwater cinematographer — right here exploring one other new cave system.
The official synopsis reads: “Having achieved worldwide approval for his essential function within the death-defying rescue of a younger Thai soccer crew, Richard ‘Harry’ Harris embarks on a dangerous new cave diving expedition that can push the boundaries of journey and pressure him to confront his deepest fears. Richard, coping with imposter syndrome and a shaky sense of self following the stunning occasions in Thailand, is now in New Zealand exploring among the deepest dived caves on the earth. This time, alongside together with his pal and fellow hero Craig Challen, Harris battles in opposition to the weather, pushing the boundaries of deep diving and recalibrating what we learn about how deep people can go.”
Each Harris and Challen have been named Australians of the Yr in 2019 for his or her help within the Thai cave rescue.
“Deeper” follows Harris’ exploration of New Zealand’s Pearse Resurgence, a hard-to-access cave. Harris devises a dangerous, pioneering plan to make use of hydrogen for respiration. This method, as per the documentary description, might resolve two issues divers face when at a depth: high-pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) and the issue of getting sufficient air as a result of gases improve in density. Nevertheless, it may be deadly.
“I practically didn’t make this movie,” director Peedom mentioned in a press assertion. “I warmed to Harry when he approached me in 2022 and was intrigued about what he was making an attempt to do, however I felt tremendously uneasy. These won’t be my actual phrases, however I requested him, ‘Have you ever watched my movies? Folks at all times die in them.’”
She continued, “It’s grueling to witness and doc grief. ‘Solo,’ made with David Michôd, was in regards to the late Andrew McAuley and his thwarted try to kayak from Australia to New Zealand. I used to be at Everest making ‘Sherpa’ when 16 individuals have been killed by an avalanche. What if Harry pushed himself additional as a result of I used to be there with a digicam and there have been catastrophic penalties? What if he died? I handed [on the project]. Months later, Harry once more made historical past, this time with out the world watching. And he was alive to inform the story. He approached me once more and the footage he’d captured was extraordinary, and it meant reenactments wouldn’t be essential. I acquired on board. The movie known as ‘Deeper’ for good purpose. Harry pushes himself to go deeper within the cave and he agreed to go deeper into himself. I thank him for trusting me to make this movie.”
“Deeper” might be launched theatrically in Australia by Madman Leisure later this yr. Dogwoof is dealing with world gross sales on the movie, which is searching for a North American distributor. Take a look at the trailer under forward of the SXSW world premiere on March 8.