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In “The Last of the Sea Women,” an extraordinary group of courageous warrior grandmothers wage a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats. Often referred to as real-life mermaids, the haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island are renowned for centuries of diving to the ocean floor—without oxygen—to collect seafood for their livelihood. Today, with most haenyeo now in their 60s, 70s and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny and hard-working women refuse to give an inch, aided by the struggle of a younger generation to revive their ancestral lifestyle through social media. Looking at what drives haenyeo young and old, this moving documentary focuses on their close-knit friendships, seasoned independence and infectious sense of empowerment, unfolding into an uplifting tale of women standing up to global powers to protect their beloved ocean and inspire a new generation.
