On the Sea with Badjao documents the unique and endangered existence of the Borneo Sea Nomads – a unique community known as the sea gypsies...
Who? On the Sea with Badjao documents the unique and endangered existence of the Borneo Sea Nomads – a unique community known as the sea gypsies. They live on the islands of Borneo and South East Asia, and have an intimate knowledge of the ocean, spending most of their lives on or in the water.
What? The sea-dwelling Badjao live predominantly on wooden boats, moving between the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Highly skilled free-divers, they can hold their breath for over five minutes and their eyes have adapted to see well underwater. The survival of their way of life has come under threat in recent years, as the reefs that protect them disintegrate and they fight for citizenship.
"Highly skilled free-divers, they can hold their breath for over five minutes and their eyes have adapted to see well underwater."
Why? In particular, the film follows the story of a young boy and his friendship with a tired fisherman and their fight to preserve their ancestry, but in its wider scope it is a portrayal of the contrast between the tranquility of the villagers' world underwater and the poverty of their existence above it. Shot by Oscar nominated cinematographer Piotr Rosolowski, the film aims to raise awareness of the Borneo inhabitants and capture the beauty of their daily lives and their unique relationship with the sea.
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Text by Mhairi Graham
