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Creating Collective Memory

Inspiration Through Movies

The ocean is a place for inspiration in all areas of life. The film industry has taken large creative influences from the ocean and all that it stands for. Movies are a way to escape from reality into an alternative world where anything is possible. When a movie involves the ocean, people are transported into the bustling life the ocean holds and all the love that comes along with it. Finding Nemo, Moana, My Octopus Teacher, and Dolphin Tale are four examples of movies inspired by the ocean to further the cultural values and connections people create between themselves and the sea. 

A Cartoon picture with many turtles, a few fish, and the words Finding Nemo, all surrounded by ocean water.

Finding Nemo 2003 Film

Director Andrew Stanton follows the life of a clownfish named Marlin who lost his son Nemo. When his only son goes missing, Marlin embarks on a journey to find him. Along the way Marlin befriends another fish named Dory, who helps Marlin search for Nemo. The film moves from the Great Barrier Reef to a dentist's office in Sydney. There are adventures and run-ins with sharks, sea turtles, and jellyfish. This animated children's film symbolizes the beauty of the ocean through the various creatures that are shown. This film also emphasizes the connection of family as well as the family's connection to the ocean, as Marlin is determined to find his son and return to their home anemone in their ocean reef. 

Two animated characters standing in a wave. One small female and one larger male with tattoo.

Moana 2016 Film

Directors Ron Clements and John Musker follow the life of Moana Waialiki, daughter of the chief on a dying island. A sea voyaging enthusiast, Moana takes the island's fate into her own hands and sets out on a journey to find the demigod Maui, who caused all the islands to start dying by stealing the heart of Te Fiti. There is an epic journey across the Pacific, having magical interactions with the ocean. This film is based on stories from Polynesian mythology and emphasizes the connection and life the oceans brings.

The front half of a man with scuba gear appears to be swimming on the bottom of the poster. Directly above him is an octopus. A kelp and sea plant forest surrounds the two figures.

My Octopus Teacher 2020 Film

Directors James Reed and Pippa Ehrlich follow the life of Craig Foster who for years has been swimming every day in the ocean at the tip of Africa. On a random swim, Craig meets a female octopus who is remarkably curious. The film is months of footage of Craig visiting the octopus's den and tracking her movements, eventually gaining her trust. Craig and the octopus create an intimate relationship, never before seen between a human and a wild animal. The film represents an individual person's connection to the ocean and how so unexpectedly one thing can change your life forever, even an octopus.

A boy floats next to a dolphin with a prosthetic tail, reaching out to her. Both figures are suspended in a clear blue ocean with beams of white sunlight stretching out from the center surface of the ocean. The title ""Dolphin Tale"" is centered in the top middle of the poster with an outline of a dolphin with a prosthetic tale composing the T of the title. ""Inspired by the amazing true story of winter"" is centered on the bottom of the poster.

Dolphin Tale 2011 Film

Director Charles Martin Smith creates this dramatic depiction based on the true story of Winter the Dolphin. This film follows the summer of a young boy named Sawyer who finds and untangles a hurt dolphin caught in a crab trap on the beach. Sawyer and Winter make a connection throughout the film, forming a personal relationship as doctors work to make Winter a prosthetic tail to be able to swim again. The film showcases how a lonely person can find hope again by connecting with the ocean and all of its properties like a dolphin.