The Sight of Blue UK - 16' - Stereo

Olivier’s childhood dream was to be a “veterinarian for whales”. When he learns he might soon go blind, he starts practicing freediving to overcome his fear of water. Five years later, he flies to the Maldives to free-dive with Manta rays...

  • Pierre Bouquet
    Director
  • Philippe Sellier
    Producer
  • Olivier Pilette
    Key Cast
  • Lina Chaouki
    Editor
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Les Yeux Grands Ouverts
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Nature, Wildlife, Illness, Adventure
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 5, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Belgium
  • Country of Filming:
    Maldives
  • Language:
    French
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Millenium International Documentary Film Festival
    Bruxelles
    Belgium
    May 6, 2022
    World Premiere (country of production)
    Young Belgian Talents
  • Innsbruck Nature Film Festival
    Innsbruck
    Austria
    October 17, 2022
  • Festival Atmosphères
    Courbevoie (Paris)
    France
    November 7, 2022
    International Premiere
  • Dallas international Film Festival
    Dallas
    United States
    October 14, 2022
    American Premiere
  • BUEIFF
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    March 1, 2023
    American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • insular & other seas Art Film Festival
    Miami and California
    United States
    March 1, 2023
  • Short Shorts : selected on the 6th and final list
    Tokyo
    Japan
    June 7, 2022
    Final list (6th) before Official Selection
  • Flicker's Rhode Island : SEMI-FINALIST
    Rhode Island
    United States
    -
    SEMI-FINALIST
  • Bordeaux Short Biennale : HONORABLE MENTION
    Bordeaux
    France
    HONORABLE MENTION
  • Big Blue Film Festival
    Newport Oregon
    United States
    HONORABLE MENTION
  • Canada Shorts
    Vancouver
    Canada
    Award of distinction
Director Biography - Pierre Bouquet

Pierre Bouquet is from Brittany, France. Having long flirted with theatre alongside his studies in environmental law, he decided to take his hobby to the next level by enrolling into the Institute of Broadcast Arts (Institut des Arts de Diffusion) to train in filmmaking. His main work, On Departure, is about a girl named Sophie who must make a choice when she discovers that her boyfriend wants to go to Syria for the jihad.

To the Deep Sea, his graduation film, is a documentary about the crew of a fishing trawler that examines loneliness, work, and life within reduced living quarters on the high seas.

As there were only two bunk beds on board, Pierre decided to learn how to shoot his own pictures by himself with only the help of a sound designer. He subsequently went on to become an independent film maker. On top of his work for corporate clients, he is currently juggling several documentaries and fiction projects revolving around topics as various as theatre, faith, and sports.

www.close-shot.com

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Director Statement

My father introduced me to spearfishing when I was just 10 years old. When I came across the freediving school Olivier is a member of, I trained with them and started filming simultaneously. As I interviewed many members of the school, I met Olivier and discovered his incredible story. The latter made such an impression on me that I set out to crowdfund the necessary funds to produce a film about it. I flew with him to the Maldives, and I stood aboard the boat as he swam alongside Manta rays.