The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins
Le Cœlacanthe, plongée vers nos origines
“A unique human adventure and a media-worthy scientific project”
Synopsis
Gombessa Expedition 1 To dive for the Coelacanth is to go back in time. In 1938, when it was known only as a fossil, a Coelacanth was discovered in South Africa in a fisherman's net. This species bears witness to an evolutionary bifurcation 380 million years ago, and bears the marks of a great event: the day the fish left the ocean for the open air. Does it hold the secret to the transition to walking on land? In 2010, a marine biologist and outstanding diver, Laurent Ballesta, took the first photographs of the Coelacanth in its ecosystem. In April 2013, divers and researchers set down their equipment at the Sodwana base camp in South Africa, in the club founded by Peter Timm (who died in 2014). Six weeks of extreme diving at depths of over 120 meters, in an attempt to film the Coelacanth with a double-headed camera, collect its DNA and tag a subject with a satellite-linked beacon...
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Gombessa I - Rencontre avec le Coelacanthe - Ep01 -
Type: Behind the Scenes • Published 2019-05-15
Top Cast
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Laurent Ballesta
Self - Plongeur, photographe, biologiste marin
Gaël Clément
Self - Paléontologue au Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Paris
Peter Timm
Self - Plongeur, fondateur du Trimix, Afrique du Sud
Emmanuel Blanche
Self - Médecin hyperbare de l'expédition " Gombessa 1 "
Florian Holon
Self - Plongeur de l'expédition " Gombessa 1 "
Thibault Rauby
Self - Biologiste, plongeur de l'expédition " Gombessa 1 "
Yanick Gentil
Self - Cameraman sous-marin, plongeur de l'expédition " Gombessa 1 "
Marc Herbin
Self - Spécialiste de la locomotion des vertebrés, CNRS / MNHN
Kerry Sink
Self - Chercheur au The South African Institute Aquatic Biodiversity
Cédric Gentil
Self - Logisticien de l'expédition " Gombessa 1 "
Mélanie Faye
Narrator (voice)
Release History & Theatrical Window
World Festival of Underwater Pictures
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Gil Kébaïli
- Screenplay & Story
- Gil Kébaïli, Laurent Ballesta
- Original Score
- Stéphane Lopez
- Original Title
- Le Cœlacanthe, plongée vers nos origines
- Country of Origin
- France
- Spoken Languages
- English, French
- Runtime
- 1h 31m
- Production Studios
- ARTE, Les Films d'Ici, Andromède Océanologie, CNRS Images
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Gil Kébaïli
Gil Kébaïli, Laurent Ballesta
Stéphane Lopez
Denis Batardière
Jacques Hinstin
Department Leadership Roster
Gil Kébaïli
Writer
Gil Kébaïli
Director
Stéphane Lopez
Original Music Composer
Laurent Ballesta
Writer
Denis Batardière
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins
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What is The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins about?
Gombessa Expedition 1 To dive for the Coelacanth is to go back in time. In 1938, when it was known only as a fossil, a Coelacanth was discovered in South Africa in a fisherman's net. This species bears witness to an evolutionary bifurcation 380 million years ago, and bears the marks of a great event: the day the fish left the ocean for the open air. Does it hold the secret to the transition to walking on land? In 2010, a marine biologist and outstanding diver, Laurent Ballesta, took the first photographs of the Coelacanth in its ecosystem. In April 2013, divers and researchers set down their equipment at the Sodwana base camp in South Africa, in the club founded by Peter Timm (who died in 2014). Six weeks of extreme diving at depths of over 120 meters, in an attempt to film the Coelacanth with a double-headed camera, collect its DNA and tag a subject with a satellite-linked beacon...
Who directed The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins?
The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins was directed by Gil Kébaïli.
Who stars in The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins?
The principal cast of The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins includes Laurent Ballesta, Gaël Clément, Peter Timm, Emmanuel Blanche, Florian Holon.
When was The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins released and how long is it?
The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins was released in 2013 with a total runtime of 1h 31m.
Who composed the musical score for The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Coelacanth, a dive into our origins was composed by Stéphane Lopez.