Below the Surface is a 9-minute US documentary directed by Nathan Hall, with Marco Gilardi as assistant director. Made as a student project at Calvin University, the film belongs to the sports genre and addresses disability in sport through a personal, motivational narrative.
At the centre of the film is the story of Kyle Dedert, a water-polo athlete born with the rare Ollier disease, which led him to live with one leg. Despite this condition, Dedert has pursued a sporting path that has taken him far beyond common expectations in the discipline.
The documentary follows its protagonist as an athlete, showing his approach to water-polo training and competition as well as his outlook on life. The phrase that guides his journey – “all limitations are self-imposed” – expresses the work’s central message: the conviction that obstacles are defined not only by physical condition but also by the way they are faced.
From a production perspective, Below the Surface was developed as a student film, with Kayla Eckrote editing and Leah Gooding cinematography. Despite its brevity, the documentary aims to raise awareness and invite reflection on inclusive sport and the value of personal commitment.
The film was completed on 1 May 2025 in the United States.
Film Information
Title: Below the Surface
Original title: Below the Surface
Director: Nathan Hall
Production: Calvin University (student project)
Country: United States
Language: English
Running time: 9 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sport featured: Water polo
Protagonist(s): Kyle Dedert
Completion date: 1 May 2025
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not available]
Shooting format: Digital, 16:9, colour
Director’s first film: No
Student project: Yes