A young octopus loses an arm to a shark attack and spends three months regenerating it while forming a bond with a filmmaker in South Africa.
Synopsis
A young octopus loses an arm to a shark attack and spends three months regenerating it while forming a bond with a filmmaker in South Africa.
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Synopsis
Craig Foster begins free-diving in the cold waters of False Bay, near Cape Town, South Africa, in 2018. Over the course of a year, he forms a bond with a young common octopus. Foster documents her daily life, observing her interactions and survival strategies against predators like pyjama sharks. The film captures her regeneration after losing an arm and her eventual death after laying eggs. Foster reflects on the lessons learned from this relationship, which deepens his connection with his son, Tom.
What Critics Say
Shot in the waters off the South African coast, this Netflix documentary chronicles one man's life-changing relationship with a wild cephalopod.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See Craig Foster's unique bond with a wild octopus.
- Find out how an octopus regenerates an arm after an attack.
- Meet the curious octopus in a South African kelp forest.
Did You Know
- Craig Foster began filming in 2018 and spent nearly a year with the octopus.
- The film won Best Documentary Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards.
- The octopus lost an arm in a shark attack and took three months to regenerate it.
- My Octopus Teacher was the first South African nature documentary on Netflix.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed My Octopus Teacher?
My Octopus Teacher was directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed.
What year was My Octopus Teacher released on Netflix?
My Octopus Teacher was released for streaming on Netflix on 7 September 2020.
What is the average rating of My Octopus Teacher on Rotten Tomatoes?
On Rotten Tomatoes, My Octopus Teacher has an average rating of 7.7/10 based on 44 critics' reviews.
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