Two free-diving athletes, Hua-Yang Huang and Afa Zhang, push their bodies to the limit in this captivating documentary from Taiwan. Competing to break records and win contests, the friendly rivals dive to astonishing depths whilst holding their breath, often at significant risk to their health, as they experience blackouts, bleeding, and barotrauma. Yet while this takes a heavy psychological toll, the successful dives bring a sense of elated triumph and almost spiritual serenity. Director Holo Wang explores the pair’s determination and endurance, as well as dancer Afa’s stunning transformation into a mermaid, journeying from a Taipei Pride float to the 2023 China Mermaid Open Championship. The mesmerising underwater cinematography captures the beauty of the divers’ exertions as they lose themselves in the tranquil, mysterious depths.

As part of Queer East 2026, a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.