My Octopus Teacher
My Octopus Teacher

Movie spotlight

My Octopus Teacher

2020
Movie
85 min
English

After years of swimming every day in the freezing ocean at the tip of Africa, Craig Foster meets an unlikely teacher: a young octopus who displays remarkable curiosity. Visiting her den and tracking her movements for months on end he eventually wins the animal’s trust and they develop a never-before-seen bond between human and wild animal.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes87%
Metacritic77
Google Users92%
Director: Pippa Ehrlich, James ReedGenres: Documentary, Nature

Plot Summary

A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, visiting her den daily for a year. He learns as the cephalopod shares the mysteries of her world, showing incredible intelligence, curiosity, and resilience. This immersive experience transforms his perspective on life and his connection to nature.

Critical Reception

My Octopus Teacher was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for its breathtaking underwater cinematography, emotional depth, and unique exploration of interspecies connection. The film's intimate portrayal of the octopus's life and its impact on filmmaker Craig Foster resonated deeply, earning it widespread praise and numerous accolades.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stunning visuals and intimate, emotional storytelling.

  • Commended for its unique exploration of the bond between humans and marine life.

  • Applauded for its message of environmental awareness and the wonders of the natural world.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly loved the film, frequently highlighting its breathtaking underwater cinematography and the touching, unexpected friendship that develops between the filmmaker and the octopus. Many viewers found the documentary deeply moving and inspiring, appreciating its focus on nature's beauty and the intelligence of marine creatures.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Fun Fact

Filmmaker Craig Foster initially intended to use the octopus filming as a way to overcome his own creative block and personal struggles, not anticipating the profound connection he would form.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
candicetop

candicetop

a profoundly moving, visually stunning documentary that elevates a simple premise into a transformative emotional experience. It follows South African filmmaker Craig Foster as he returns daily to a cold-water kelp forest near Cape Town, sl...

Skarfrael

Skarfrael

Not just a documentary (9 January 2021) Why I watched it? Because I love octopuses and the sea. Why I gave it a 10? Because it was something more than just a documentary. It was a personal experience. It got evident from the start. Gr...