Diving Women of Jeju-Do

Jeju-do is the largest of the Korean islands and lies between Korea and Japan. There, for hundreds of years, women dive without breathing apparatus to the ocean floor and collect shellfish, octopus, and urchins that they sell. This ancient woman's tradition is about to die. The divers are in their sixties and seventies and their daughters do not want to inherit their work, lifestyle, and health problems that go with diving.
As a filmmaker Barbara Hammer was privileged to meet many of these women who are in their sixties, dive with them, and visit in their homes.

Production, direction, script and editing: Barbara Hammer; Sound editing: Stephanie Testa

Organisation: City of Women; In collaboration with: Škuc Gallery.