A new short film titled INSPIRATION – The Journey of Jonah blends the art of freediving with mythical storytelling to present a contemporary interpretation of the classic Jonah myth. The 8-minute visual poem features world-renowned freediving champion Morgan Bourc’his in a narrative that explores themes of inner transformation and rebirth.
The film presents a surreal odyssey that begins when a man is symbolically captured by a jaw-like rock formation deep beneath the ocean’s surface. Guided by a mysterious whale, he embarks on a journey from darkness into light. The whale serves as a central figure in the story, representing a living landscape and a symbol of regeneration. The concept was partly inspired by a real whale stranding event from 2011. The director, Jean-Charles Granjon, frames the ocean as a sacred space for internal catharsis and change.
Executing the film’s unique vision required significant technical expertise. The production involved filming with Morgan Bourc’his while he was freediving at depths of 30 meters. To illuminate the underwater scenes, the crew utilized a powerful 450,000-lumen lighting setup. The final project is a composite of real-world performance captured with cinema-grade underwater cameras, 3D animation, and experimental cinematography.
INSPIRATION – The Journey of Jonah has already gained international recognition with a nomination from the prestigious Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIFF). RIFF is one of only six film festivals in the world to be recognized as a qualifying event for both the Academy Awards® and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards for short films, making its selection a significant cinematic honor.
The film was produced by Bluearth Production, a Marseille-based company founded by Granjon. Specializing in underwater filmmaking, the company has focused for over a decade on projects that merge art, science, and ecological awareness. The production team is committed to marine conservation, offsetting the carbon footprint of its film shoots and reinvesting profits into public awareness initiatives.
INSPIRATION – The Journey of Jonah was released online for public viewing to mark World Ocean Day on June 8, 2025.
