Twelve years ago today, the fourth most powerful earthquake ever recorded struck Japan. The ensuing tsunami claimed nearly 25,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
Yuko Takamatsu was among those swept away on 3/11. She has never been found.
Since that day, her husband Yasuo has dedicated his life to searching for her. He scoured the Japanese coast until he decided there was only one place left where Yuko could be: the ocean. Every weekend for the past decade, Yasuo has explored the depths of the Pacific, diving into the void to find her.
Yasuo’s search is a meditative practice, an act of grieving, a way to stay close to Yuko’s memory, and an effort to honor the love they shared. His commitment has been steadfast since we first spoke about making this film in 2016 — he says that he will continue to search for her “as long as his body allows.” I’m so grateful that he trusted me to tell his story with The Diver.
I’m thankful for Sarah Brannan
@madewithtrust for believing in the project and supporting me unequivocally throughout the process;
@airi.okam.yam and Mt. Melvil for making me feel at home in Japan;
@vestatuckute for always making things feel possible;
@christopher_lew for filming Yasuo with sensitivity;
@thekidmatt for his vision;
@cstropko for his magic with sound and
@isabelavdd for the lovely titles; and the rest of the local crew!
Link in bio! Thank you
@vimeo for the staff pick 💙
Credits:
Director: Anderson Wright (
@andersonwright )
Executive Producer: Trust (
@madewithtrust )
Producer: Vesta Tuckute (
@vestatuckute )
Local Producer: Airi Yamawaki (
@airi.okam.yam ) / Mt. Melvil (
@mtmelvil )
DoP: Christopher Lew (
@christopher_lew )
1st AC: Kitagawa Shun (
@shunshun1312 )
Underwater Cam Op: Masahiko Sakata (
@masahiko_sakata_ )
PA: Akari Yoshida
Diving Instructor: Masayoshi Takahashi
Skipper: Kiyotaka Suzuki
Translation: Akiko White (
@katakiko ) / Gen Parton Shin
Post: Cabin (
@cabinedit )
Post Producer: Hope DuHaime
Editor: Matt Schaff (
@thekidmatt )
AE: Tom Hohle
Sound Design: Christian Stropko
@cstropko
Colorist: David Tomiak (
@davidtomiakcolour )
