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The Deepest Breath and the ethics of extreme sport docs

Netflix’s documentary about freediving, The Deepest Breath, has become one of the sleeper hits of the summer. Writer Adam Skolnick and climber Brette Harrington join guest host Amil Niazi to look at the growing appeal of extreme sport documentaries—and the ethical issues they raise.

Writer Adam Skolnick and climber Brette Harrington look at the growing appeal of extreme sport documentaries

CBC Arts ·
A still image of Alessia Zecchini from Netflix's The Deepest Breath.
A still image of Alessia Zecchini from Netflix's The Deepest Breath. (Netflix)
13:52The Deepest Breath and the ethics of extreme sport docs

Netflix's documentary about freediving, The Deepest Breath, has become one of the sleeper hits of the summer.

It follows divers as they train to see how far down they can swim into the ocean and come back up — on a single breath, without an oxygen tank. 

The Deepest Breath is the latest in a string of popular extreme-sports documentaries, like the Oscar-winning Free Solo and The Alpinist. But why are we so interested in watching these nerve-wracking feats — and is it even ethical to do so?

Writer Adam Skolnick and climber Brette Harrington join guest host Amil Niazi to look at the growing appeal of extreme sport documentaries — and what it takes to turn brushes with death into entertainment.

WATCH | Official trailer for The Deepest Breath:

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Panel produced by Stuart Berman.

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