Documentary Film
Remathau: People of the Ocean
Remathau: People of the Ocean follows the journey of Nicole Yamase, a young marine biologist from Micronesia who ventures to the deepest part of the ocean and begins an even deeper dive of self-discovery as she reconnects with her people's resilience and oceanic roots.
Remathau: People of the Ocean is a feature documentary that follows the journey of Nicole Yamase, the first Micronesian and Indigenous person to dive to the deepest part of the ocean, Challenger Deep, in the Marianas Trench.
Nicole begins her journey of discovery by diving to the deepest part of the ocean, an area within the Marianas Trench named “Challenger Deep” that lies beneath the territorial waters of her country. When she surfaces, she is met with a storm of media attention. Feeling the immense pressure of being the first Micronesian and Pacific Islander to go down to the Challenger Deep (and only the second woman in history), Nicole begins a deeper dive into her own identity as a Micronesian and a descendant of great navigators.
This experience ultimately opens her eyes to the true resilience of Pacific Island people who–despite immense hardship brought on by external forces–continue to draw strength from the cultural practices, languages, and ancestral knowledge that anchor them to their oceanic homeland.
Daniel H. Lin is a filmmaker and photojournalist focusing on the impacts of climate change, post-colonialism, and globalization on cultural identity within Indigenous communities across the Pacific Islands and in Asia. Currently, Daniel is the Associate Director for Strategic Alliances at Nia Tero. This is his first-ever feature film, having only worked on a handful of short film projects in the past.
In March of 2021, when Nicole asked me personally to help her tell the story of her historic dive to the deepest part of the ocean, I had no idea that it would evolve into a feature-length documentary that would end up spanning oceans, islands, and multiple generations. With this film, we witnessed the deepest dive of all – a journey through identity, representation, and responsibility. The experience allowed us to look through the window of time and affirm that, if left open, it will always breathe new life into what a Pacific Island story can and should be. - Daniel H. Lin.
Here you can download the press kit, containing comprehensive information and insights into the making of the film, the people involved, images, contact and other information for press.
Nicole Yamase and Halora Lapiyalur. Photo by Daniel H. Lin
Max Yarawamai is a key participant in the film Remathau. Photo by Daniel H. Lin.
Women and child prepare for a cultural event in the Pacific region - Remathau film. Photo by Daniel H. Lin.
Nicole Yamase looking out at sea. Photo by Daniel H. Lin
Nicole Yamase and Thomas Raffipiy. Photo by Daniel H. Lin.