She Is the Ocean

Oceanic cinematography is art, and the profiles of accomplished women are poetry in this soothing and inspiring documentary. It revels in the gorgeousness and variety of nature's enormous pool and its inspiring and gentle message. Surf film enthusiasts will likely enjoy She Is the Ocean more than those expecting a more traditional documentary, because it doesn't follow the usual beats. While it definitely has messages about activism, there's no sense of urgency, and it's a bit difficult to imagine a setting where you'd sit down and watch it. It feels more like the kind of thing you'd watch while taking a break at a science museum or that might be running in the background at a dive shop.

The film's premise is to show how women are analagous to the ocean, mighty with a mysterious depth. That crunchy concept may be a little too ethereal for most, and the movie's pacing flows like a stream rather than pounding waves. But it works in at least one regard. The gorgeous shots of barrels, swells, underwater ballet, swimming with sharks, paddling alongside whales, and cliff diving, paired with each woman telling her story in a relaxing voice, creates a calming Zen experience. It's almost like a perfect bedtime story, whispering to our young girls: "Embrace your sweet dreams; you got this."