Still Waters Run Deep is a 1-hour, 12-minute documentary made in the Russian Federation and directed by Yuri Chichkov. It focuses on one of the most extreme and compelling sports disciplines: ice freediving, an underwater practice involving dives in icy waters without breathing apparatus.
The documentary explores freediving in extreme conditions, following a group of female athletes and the founder of Russian freediving as they dive in Russia's coldest, most remote places, including Lake Baikal, the White Sea and Lake Lama. Spectacular underwater images alternate with preparation and reflection, showing how breath control, mental concentration and physical endurance are fundamental to these dives.
The main protagonists include professional freediving athletes facing high-altitude and extreme-temperature challenges, and the influential figure of the Russian freediving pioneer, who shares his experience and vision of the discipline. Images document training sessions, personal records and moments of introspection, offering an authentic look at the community of freedivers devoted to this unique sport.
The film's message revolves around personal challenge and a profound connection with nature: diving into frozen waters is not only a physical test but an inner journey of silence, discipline and overcoming one's limits. Still Waters Run Deep invites viewers to consider freediving as a form of active meditation requiring respect for oneself and the surrounding environment.
Completed on 14 February 2025 with a budget of more than 10 million roubles, the documentary is a non-student production and not the director's first work. Shot entirely in Russia in Russian, it was made with digital 16:9 colour footage. Information on its premiere or official distribution has not yet been released.
Film Details
Title: Still Waters Run Deep
Original title: Still Waters Run Deep
Director: Yuri Chichkov
Production: Yuliana Slashcheva, Lika Blank, Yekaterina Stroganova, Tatyana Yuferova, Vitaly Semisenko, Aleksandr Silka
Country: Russian Federation
Language: Russian
Running time: 1 hour 11 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sport featured: Ice freediving
Protagonist(s): Female freedivers and the founder of Russian freediving
Completion date: 14 February 2025
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not specified]
Shooting format: Digital, 16:9, colour
Director's first film: No
Student project: No