Synopsis
After surviving a Great White Shark attack, lifelong surfer, Brett Burcher, is left with a paralysing fear of the ocean and a fragmented sense of self. Brett sets out on an uplifting journey of self-discovery, hoping to find the knowledge, answers and relationships that could set him free. Along the way, he meets inspiring figures who have overcome adversity, reveals groundbreaking scientific research into shark behaviour, hears inspirational stories of survival and resilience from shark attack victims, and gains a vivid understanding of how humans heal after trauma. It is only when he truly surrenders to the experience that he finds a way to embrace uncertainty, reconnecting both to himself and with the ocean he calls home.
Crossing the Tideline is more than a shark film, it’s an exploration into the psychological impact of a near death experience, told through the recovery journey of a shark attack survivor. The attack is the bait, but the transformational human experience Brett goes through, is the hook.
Story
Blending candid observational moments with stylised sequences, the film is anchored in an immersive interview with Brett, providing the sensory experience of what it would be like to confront your deepest fears. Through Brett’s psychological descent and eventual transformation, much like Touching the Void, the audience feels part of the journey, giving an illusion of immediacy and ‘real time participation’. The drone footage of Brett’s attack, which has not yet been publicly released, plays a role in defining the style, but it is the methods of building tension and context around this footage that provides a unique approach. As Great Whites perceive the world in black and white, we plan to recreate this cinematically: playing with the concept of ‘perspective’. Key characters include Brett’s friend Nick who witnessed the attack, leading shark behavioural researchers and attack prevention experts, and fellow members of the ‘Bite Club’ survivor support group that Brett is part of.
Production Stage
- Development
- Production
- Post-production
- Completed
- Outreach
DURATION: 90 MINUTES
Issue area
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