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Deep Dive: Leviathan (2012)

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Leviathan
Leviathan is a 2012 documentary directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel, focusing on the North American fishing industry. The filmmakers utilized GoPro cameras to capture the visceral nature of fishing, working twenty-hour shifts during production. The film is characterized by its non-linear structure and lack of dialogue, creating an immersive experience that emphasizes the sights and sounds of the fishing process. The film was produced within Harvard's Sensory Ethnography Lab, which aims to combine anthropology with visual and environmental studies. Castaing-Taylor's approach emphasizes sensory experience and emotional engagement, moving away from traditional ethnographic methods. The film has received critical acclaim, holding an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and winning several awards, including the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film.

Why Watch

  • •See the brutal realities of the fishing industry.
  • •Find out how GoPro cameras capture raw ocean life.
  • •Meet the workers behind North America's fishing operations.

Did You Know

•Leviathan won the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film in 2012.
•The film has an 84% approval rating based on 51 critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
•It ranked number 66 on Rolling Stone's list of 'The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century' in July 2025.
•Castaing-Taylor founded the Sensory Ethnography Lab at Harvard in 2006.

Perfect For

Documentary enthusiastsEnvironmental studiesFishing industry insights