Arc Of A Diver: Oscar-Contending ‘Voices From The Abyss’ Highlights the Courage of Cliff Divers at Mexico’s La Quebrada
In Acapulco, the La Quebrada Cliff Divers ascend rugged heights, carefully navigating the cliffs barefoot. Once they secure their positions, they launch themselves into the volatile sea below.
Renowned for their audacious jumps from elevations rivaling a 10-story building, these divers are the subject of the Oscar-contending film Voices From the Abyss, directed by Irving Serrano and Víctor Rejón. The documentary is available for free on YouTube.
A La Quebrada cliff diver in ‘Voices From the Abyss’
The divers, ranging in age from youth to middle age, see their craft as a way of life rather than a lucrative profession. They are part of a professional association that offers modestly priced performances to tourists, yet have encountered increasingly difficult times.
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Serrano notes, “We wanted to bring the divers to another public because in Mexico, I wouldn’t say that they’re forgotten, but they’re not in the main topic right now.”
The youngest divers sometimes resemble ducklings taking their first plunge, while the most experienced perform their dives with astonishing grace. Regardless of skill level, the risks involved are significant.
“If they don’t dive perfectly, they’re going to die because it is very dangerous,” Serrano asserts, highlighting the reality of injuries they face. “They have a lot of injuries. Sometimes they have life-threatening injuries, and other times they have back injuries or arm injuries because it’s very hard to land all the time perfectly.”
‘Voices From the Abyss’
The documentary has garnered international acclaim, winning awards such as Best Ibero American Short Film at the Guadalajara International Film Festival. It has also received accolades at the Morelia International Film Festival, the HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles, and other notable festivals worldwide.
Voices From the Abyss is shot in striking black and white, with Serrano explaining, “With the short film, we try to communicate how it is to be in the air, like flying.” He elaborates on the use of slow-motion cameras to emphasize the ethereal experience of diving.
A young La Quebrada cliff diver resurfaces in ‘Voices From the Abyss’
The film’s visuals capture not only the divers but also the tumultuous water they confront.
Serrano describes the ocean’s significance, stating, “The sea is very powerful, and we wanted it to be more personal, to be like a character. The sea is very beautiful. La Quebrada is a beautiful place.”
The filmmaking duo plans to return to La Quebrada for a feature documentary, which will focus on a 15-year-old diver named Lilia, who recently celebrated her quinceañera.
“She’s wanting to be the first woman to jump from the highest part of La Quebrada,” Serrano shares, noting the significance of breaking into a traditionally male-dominated space.
Curious if the filmmakers themselves have taken the plunge? Serrano reveals their limited experience: “Víctor and I, we jumped from one meter, one-to-five meters in the lower part of La Quebrada. I wouldn’t go any higher than that myself. I mean, it’s scary.”
The documentary, capturing both the risks and beauty of this daring sport, continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
