Mayotte : The heart of the lagoon

Immersion in the Lagoon of Mayotte: Just Below the Surface

Mayotte, a pearl of the Indian Ocean, is a sanctuary where marine life thrives under crystalline light. This project could have taken a completely different turn. I was in contact with the BBC for a collaboration with Blue Planet, but things did not go as planned. The person who was supposed to provide scientific validation for our project took advantage of the situation to push their own project forward, ultimately leading to the cancellation of ours.

I had believed that the world of wildlife documentaries was driven by a shared love for nature, but reality is quite different: some are willing to do anything to take someone else's place. It was a disillusionment, but it did not stop me from pursuing my work with the same determination.
​
For my first episode dedicated to the marine depths, I chose to explore this fragile and fascinating world that exists just below the surface, where sunlight dances with the water and reveals an ecosystem of incredible richness.

The Genesis of the Project​
​
The idea for this short film was born from a desire to capture the raw beauty and harmony that reign in these preserved waters. Unlike deep dives that reveal mysterious abysses, I wanted to showcase what is accessible to everyone, just a few meters below the surface. This is where the spectacle begins, where coral reefs teem with life, and marine creatures move in a natural choreography.

Filming at the Rhythm of Nature

Creating this film required a patient and respectful approach. Working exclusively with natural light, I sought to capture every detail with optimal clarity. The sunlight filtered through the water provided vibrant colors and an almost surreal rendering, where the blue of the lagoon blends with the vivid hues of fish and corals.

From the moment I arrived in Mayotte, I had the idea of creating a 30-minute short film. It ultimately took more than four years to gather all the pieces of the puzzle and turn it into a full-fledged documentary. It is important to highlight the time required to bring such a project to life, as some people think that all it takes is to jump into the water to capture extraordinary images. In reality, one must traverse the lagoon extensively, listen to rumors about the presence of animals, go out, wait, and return empty-handed over and over again, until the perfect moment presents itself—or until the frustration of a missed opportunity sets in.

In this regard, the presence of Nils Bertrand from Seablue Safari was invaluable. He knows the lagoon and the behaviors of its marine inhabitants inside out, having observed them in Mayotte for over twenty years. His experience and deep understanding of the environment allowed us to execute exceptional approaches and capture rare, authentic moments.
​
The main challenge was anticipating the movements of marine life to film unique moments. The curiosity of sea turtles, the grace of stingrays, and the frenzy of juvenile fish schools provided magical scenes that only prolonged immersion can truly capture.

A Visual and Auditory Narrative

Until now, I had always worked on short clips or projects lasting three to four minutes. This time, I had to find the right balance between images, music, voice-over, and silence. Creating a smooth and immersive narrative required not only a different approach but also having the necessary footage to perfectly construct the story's flow.

Additionally, this project demanded real teamwork. I collaborated with Mathilde Hangard for storytelling and with Nils for the scientific aspects. Nils, who values precision, significantly raised the level of rigor I had set for myself. His expertise brought an essential level of accuracy to the film's information and sequences.
​
Ultimately, nearly a year was needed for editing and the final cut. Removing scenes, adding others, using certain necessary but subtle effects—it was meticulous work and an ambitious project that required both time and discipline to produce a film that remains faithful to the beauty and complexity of Mayotte's lagoon.