Plongée sous-marine avec Annette Bening – IndieWire

The incredible story of Diana Nyad’s 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida has captivated audiences and now it has been brought to life in the new Netflix film, “Nyad”. The behind-the-scenes account of capturing this powerful story is equally as compelling. Let’s dive into the challenges and unique methods used to film this intimate and emotionally charged movie.

**Bringing Diana Nyad’s story to life**

“Nyad” presents the unique challenge of capturing Diana’s emotional journey as she embarks on this incredible swim. Underwater cinematographer Peter Zuccarini and director of photography Claudio Miranda had to find a way to make the filming as visceral and immediate as possible, while still ensuring the safety and trust of the lead actress, Annette Bening.

**Choosing the right equipment**

Zuccarini and Miranda made the bold decision to use a small camera – the Sony Fx3 – to capture the intimate moments of the film. This choice allowed for agility and close-up shots without causing turbulence in the water or interfering with Bening’s movements. Despite having developed numerous underwater rigs for big cameras, the team recognized the importance of using a smaller, more nimble camera for this particular project.

**Developing a unique working relationship**

Capturing the emotional and physical struggle of Diana’s swim required a deep level of trust and intimacy between the actress and the camera team. Zuccarini and Bening developed a close working relationship, spending hours in the water together to build trust and understand each other’s movements. This unique bond allowed for the camera to capture vivid imagery and close-up shots that had never been achieved before in underwater cinematography.

**Bening’s extraordinary commitment**

Annette Bening’s dedication to her role as Diana Nyad was evident in the grueling hours she spent in the water, swimming for up to six hours a day. Her stamina and commitment to the role set the bar high, as she worked tirelessly to embody the intense physical and emotional journey that Diana experienced.

In the end, “Nyad” not only brings an incredible story to the screen, but it also showcases the remarkable collaboration between the camera team and the lead actress, resulting in a visually stunning and emotionally captivating film.

Source : www.indiewire.com