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Ocean's Rose

Ocean's Rose is a short form documentary celebrating the life and achievements of world renowned diver and first ever shark whisperer Ben Rose. The film focuses on promoting Ben's message of the importances of human connection with nature and protecting it.

  • Madeline Grace Kennedy
    Director
  • Madeline Grace Kennedy
    Producer
  • Sandeep Vadlamudi
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Environmental, wildlife, sharks, biography, marine, documentary
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 19, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Bahamas
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Emerson College
Director Biography - Madeline Grace Kennedy

Madeline Kennedy is a filmmaker who grew up near the beautiful shores of Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas. Growing up surrounded by the marine ecosystems and wildlife of the island, she developed an early appreciation for the natural world and the documenting of it.

Combining her two passions of environmentalism and filmmaking, Madeline aspires to create impactful stories that empower individuals to take action and make a positive difference. She believes in the transformative power of film to inspire change, and she is committed to using her craft to create a better and more compassionate world.

She is currently based in Boston, where she recently graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Visual Media Arts and a Minor in Environmental Studies Ocean's Rose was here college thesis film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When I first met Ben Rose, it was not with the intention of making a documentary. I was a high school student, eager to learn more about marine life for a simple class project. Little did I know that this encounter would profoundly shape the trajectory of my life and inspire the creation of the documentary Ocean's Rose.

From the moment Ben began sharing his knowledge and his story surrounding marine life, I was hooked. Despite our stark age difference of 50 years I felt an immediate connection with him as we both grew up on Grand Bahama Island and shared an inexplicable passion for the underwater ecosystem.

It wasn't just his expertise that struck me; it was the genuine love and respect he held for the underwater world and all its inhabitants. It was his unwavering dedication to conservation and his unique ability to communicate with sharks that truly moved me.

I remember walking around Ben’s house with him, looking at all his fish tanks. Ben would stick his hands in the tanks, and the fish would swim between his fingers like they were greeting an old friend. His connection with animals was truly inspiring.

Unfortunately, Ben passed away before I had the chance to truly comprehend the depth of his wisdom and the impact he had made on those around him. It was in his absence that I realized his voice was no longer there to champion the cause he held so dear. It was then that I felt a deep calling to give him a voice through the medium of film. As I embarked on the journey of creating Ocean’s Rose, I wanted to honor Ben's memory and ensure that his profound message of environmentalism continued to resonate. The documentary became a tribute to his life and a vessel for amplifying his voice. It was my way of immortalizing his legacy and inspiring others to follow in his footsteps, the same way he did to me.

Ocean's Rose is more than a film about an exceptional individual; it is a salute to a true environmentalist and a testament to the power of one person's impact on not only a little island I grew up on but the world.

Made with pure passion and heart, I invite you to dive into a world of adventure, compassion, and a profound love for the ocean. Together, I hope we can amplify Ben’s voice and ensure that his message resonates for generations to come.