With our upcoming WORLD PREMIERE of “The Rebel Reef: Seeds of Hope,” we want to share a little bit more about the inspiration behind the film. I asked our director, Brynne Rardin, about how this all came about.
Here’s what Brynne said:
“The Rebel Reef started as a conversation between three divers in the small Honduran town of Tela. I, our executive producer Tiffany Duong, and our main character Christian Carias realized simultaneously that the ocean had saved us all. Though that had looked different for each of us, our callings since then have all been the same: to connect more people to the ocean in ways that will compel them to protect it.
For this film I wanted to capture the idea that hope endures against all odds. That even without answers, science and conservation are about having faith in the unknown. As an environmental filmmaker and a scientific diver, I wanted to move away from the classic environmental and science documentary style and take a more cinematic and artistic approach by connecting our viewers with a character first, who would help them see the Rebel Reef – through Christian’s eyes and story – in a more meaningful way.
This film combines stunning underwater and land based cinematography while simultaneously exploring the complexity of cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and personal transformation. As we follow Christian’s journey, we reveal how one man’s fight for his own life mirrors the resiliency of a reef few people even know exist. I believe this reef and this story can spark a collective awakening, not only to the urgency of ecological protection but to a deeper connection with the Earth, our heritage, and our future.”
-Brynne Rardin, Director, “The Rebel Reef: Seeds of Hope”
The Impact of this Film
For me, as the Executive Producer, bringing this work to life has been the creative endeavor that has challenged me the most and leveled me up as a storyteller, producer, and artist in ways I could not even imagine. I credit our stellar team for this: the movie would not be what it is without the talent and passion of each person who contributed.
Thank you also to our local partners and sponsors, especially Tela Marine, Caribbean Reef Guardians, Stanley 1913, Hidden Compass, and Ocean Culture Life, who live this message out loud and/or work to amplify it’s impact every single day.
Want to join us in Oakland, CA for the World Premiere of “The Rebel Reef”?
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 6 | 2pm PT
WHERE: New Parkway Theatre, Oakland, CA
The event will feature:
The world premiere of our 25-minute short film
A Q&A with the filmmakers and our Honduran partners
A live violin performance of the film’s theme song by our Emmy-nominated composer
An immersive virtual reality dive experience
