Ama-San

The unknown story of the Ama-San, the “sea women” of Japan who continue a tradition that began 2000 years ago. In Wagu, a small fishing village on the Pacific coast, the women’s maritime life begins when the cherry trees blossom. While men were out hunting or fishing for extended periods of time, women, in order to provide for their families, would dive to catch shellfish. The pearls from the oysters they sold made them a symbol of power, beauty and spirituality. The film follows three of them as they dive in deep water without breathing gear, transcending the limits of their delicate bodies and reaching freedom.

---

Cinematography: Claudia Varejao

Editing: Joao Braz, Claudia Varejao

Sound: Takashi Sugimoto

Production: Terratreme Filmes, Joao Matos, Leonor Noivo, Luisa Homem, Pedro Pinho, Susana Nobre, Tiago Hespanha

Producers: Vadim Jendreyko

Co-production: Mira Films, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen SRF, Flying Pillow Films

Format: Color

Production Country: Portugal

Production Year: 2016

Duration: 112

Contact: Terratreme Filmes www.terratreme.pt

Awards
Special Mention - Carlovy Vary IFF 2016, Czech Republic
?Best Portuguese Competition Film - Doclisboa 2016, Portugal

Claudia Varejao

Filmography

(selected)
2005 Falta-me | Wanting (short)
2016 No Escuro do Cinema Descalco os Sapatos | In the Darkness of the Theater I Take Off My Shoes
2016 Ama-San