The Paper's reporter Wang Yu reported comprehensively
Recently, Jimmy Chin, a Chinese-American director who directed the 91st Academy Awards for Best Documentary "Free Solo," brought his latest documentary work, "The Rescue in Thailand." It's also his third documentary, after Climbing Meru, co-directed with his wife, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi.
It is understood that the film tells the story of the Thai cave rescue incident that caused a sensation in 2018. Through a large number of first-hand materials and unprecedented exclusive interviews, the film crew led the audience to relive the thrilling rescue operation. The extraordinary courage of the rescuers, as well as the solidarity and love from the international community, lit up that dark cave full of dangers. The film was released in the United States on October 8.
The documentary "The Rescue" produced by National Geographic Channel and co-directed by Chinese-American director Kim Kwok-wai and his wife Elizabeth Chai Vassarely
In fact, as early as 2019, the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Channel took the rights to the cave rescue in Thailand and invited Kevin Macdonald to be the director of the film (he had directed the documentary "One Day in September" describing the terrorist attacks at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany). However, Macdonald quit filming because of "time" issues. Later, Kim Kwok-wai and his wife Vassarelli were invited to take over the baton and participate in the production of the film.
In an interview with U.S. media, Jin Guowei said: "We are delighted to be working with National Geographic again, a project that not only pushes the boundaries of filmmaking, but also shows people the incredible resilience and determination of human beings." ”
Carolyn Burnsteen, executive vice president of the National Geographic Channel, also commented: "Chai and Jimmy are masters of storytelling, they bring unparalleled artistry and unique vision to tell these profound stories in a true and innovative way. ”
In June 2018, a Thai junior soccer team and their coach were stranded in the Sleeping Beauty Cave in Chiang Mai. Video screenshots
The documentary "Rescue" takes viewers back to the humid and sweltering summer of Thailand in June 2018. A Thai junior soccer team and their coach decided to go on an "adventure" at Tham Luang in Chiang Mai after football training. The soccer team, called "Wild Boars", has 12 male players, ranging in age from 12 to 16 years old. Sleeping Beauty Cave is the fourth largest cave in Thailand, with a length of 10 kilometers and a complex terrain.
Unexpectedly, soon after the 13 people entered the cave, it began to rain heavily. Rain soon poured into the cave and blocked the way back, and they were forced to go deeper to hide, but eventually became trapped in the cave. Without food, they had to survive on the dripping water in their caves. It wasn't until the evening of July 2, nine days after the trapped, that rescuers found trapped people about 4 kilometers from the cave entrance. On July 8, after careful planning and careful preparation, a large-scale rescue operation was officially launched.
Rescuers are pumping out water from a cave video screenshot
The rescue operation is considered one of the most difficult and risky rescue operations in the world, with more than 90 experts, more than 100 rescue workers and more than 1,000 Thai soldiers from different countries participating. It was the rainy season in Thailand, and the cave was flooded in many places, and the silt in the water was accumulated, and visibility was extremely low. Rescue efforts have been stalled and dangerous several times, and a former Thai Navy special forces member has even died of lack of oxygen and overwork while on a mission to deliver oxygen cylinders.
This is one of the most difficult and risky rescue operations in the world. Video screenshots
For Kim Kwok-wai and Vassarelli, who love extreme sports, "cave rescue" is not an unruly subject. They are good at creating a gripping atmosphere, good at portraying people's complex psychology of facing fear and overcoming challenges. This time, they focused the camera on rescuers, especially two divers from the UK – Rick Stanton and John Warranson.
Rick Stanton is a retired firefighter and his partner, Warrensen, is an IT expert, but in diving circles, they are known as "the best cave divers in the world" and have many experiences in cave searches and rescues. Commissioned by the Thai government, they flew from The Uk to Thailand to participate in the rescue operation.
The New York Times commented, "Rick and John's careers aren't just about adding color. In the film, the diver's ordinary identity and extraordinary heroism are nervously linked. ”
"Cave diving requires a special set of skills and, in fact, a special set of equipment. There really aren't special forces in the world... Be equipped or experienced to do cave diving. Director Kim Kwok-wai said.
Due to the strange and complex environment inside the cave, even experienced divers are full of dangers. Video screenshots
In the trailer of the documentary, Stanton said that he swam into the cave in the dark, not sure if the boys and coach were still alive, and there was a smell of despair in the air. "The river was very turbulent, we put our hands in front of us and could hardly see anything."
After swimming for more than two hours, he surfaced and heard the voices of trapped people. "We saw a light, and then a couple of boys were in sight," Stanton recalled.
But the happiness was short-lived, for Stanton knew that they would not only have to find the trapped people huddled on the shelves, but would also take the lead in carrying out a frantic plan to push the trapped people out of the small cracks under the water one by one.
Schematic of the rescue process
"The most critical thing is to make sure their mouth and nose don't come into contact with water, so we chose to put a full-face mask on them so that any leaks are outward, not inward." Unlike most divers who carry the cylinder on their backs, we chose to put the cylinder in front and have them face down, helping to ensure that no water would be sucked into the throat. Stanton said.
Another rescue worker, Dr. Richard Harris, decided to sedative the boys so they could get out of danger. Although this act has caused a lot of controversy.
Director Vasariri said in an interview: "It's a race against time, because heavy rain can come at any time, and if the current is too strong, the diver can't keep going. At the same time, the air in the cave has a very low oxygen content. At the time they measured oxygen levels of 15.6 percent. You know, in a fire accident, if the oxygen content is less than 18%, the firefighters cannot enter the building. ”
Divers rescue trapped people from underwater one by one. Video screenshots
Finally, after three days and three nights, all 13 trapped people were finally rescued under the relay of rescuers.
"Just because one day of success doesn't mean there will be the same success the next day, three days. The possibility of a problem is still enormous, so there is absolutely no room for complacency in the rescue. Stanton said.
Due to the impact of the global new crown virus pandemic, the filming process of the documentary has also experienced many ups and downs. Vasarili said in an interview that they had to interview the main subjects in the film remotely. Underwater scene reproductions were also filmed with divers in British studios, rather than in caves in Chiang Rai.
Due to the impact of the epidemic, the underwater scene reproduction was done in the studio in the UK. Video screenshots
In the documentary, there are also underwater rescue images of Thai Navy SEALs that have never been exposed. However, the film crew also almost lost touch with these precious materials because of the epidemic.
"After the second vaccination, I boarded the plane to Thailand and we contacted the Thai Navy SEALs again and again and finally they agreed. Initially we were expecting to get about 90 minutes of footage and a couple of useful shots, but they ended up giving us a full 87 hours of video, which was amazing. Vasarili said.
Footage of Stanton and his partner when they find the trapped person. Video screenshots
Regarding the original intention of the creation, Jin Guowei introduced: "The most touching thing about this story is that cave rescue is a very dangerous thing, but Harris and John Warland know that they are the only people who can do it. They are willing to take the risk, even if it is only to save one life, it is worth it. I have great respect and admiration for such an idea. If you're the only person in the world who can do it, is it your responsibility? ”
Editor-in-Charge: Ying Xu
Proofreader: Luan Meng