Emilija Škarnulytė’s “Aphotic Zone”

Aphotic Zone (2022)

Hauntingly beautiful natural undersea wonders marred by the inclusion of manmade elements in this short which misses its potential

The first minutes of this short are so beautiful and breathtaking showing life in the aphotic zone of the ocean(where no light ever reaches its depths) that the decision to include robotic arms and other manmade elements is confounding. It’s like showing a beautiful shot of the African savannah only to include a bulldozer trudging across the landscape with puffs of smoke bellowing from its exhaust as animals scatter to the four winds.

Disappointing but worth watching for the unfettered elements. I could have just watched the imagery from the first 3 minutes over the course of its entire 16 minute duration.