An intimate look at La Quebrada Cliff Divers and their ritualistic 100-feet dives into the sea.
Voices from the Abyss is a striking short documentary that marries evocative visual poetry with a cultural portrait of the La Quebrada cliff diving community in Acapulco, Mexico. At once reverent and stylised, the film offers a powerful yet meditative glimpse into a world defined by ritual, risk, and resilience.
Rendered entirely in black and white, the film’s aesthetic feels timeless—an ode to tradition that transcends generations. With slow-motion sequences and sharply composed tracking shots, cinematographer Eliott Reguera captures the stark contrast between the jagged cliffs and the graceful descent of the divers. This careful visual treatment elevates the physical act of diving into something almost sacred. The sound design and colour grading reinforce this tone, wrapping the viewer in an atmosphere that borders on spiritual.
Rather than using a conventional documentary format with sit-down interviews or overt narration, the directors allow the divers to tell their stories in their own voices—through poetic monologues, ambient reflections, and personal memories. These audio tracks float over the imagery, rather than synchronising with visible speakers. The result is intimate, but also abstract. We hear their fears, hopes, and injuries, but rarely see the speakers themselves. This decision adds a layer of mystery and symbolism, but it also introduces a sense of detachment. The voices become part of the artistic collage, rather than leading it.
At the heart of the film is the culture and community of the La Quebrada divers. Their shared identity spans age, gender, and heritage. Children begin diving at low heights, gradually building their strength, technique, and tolerance for fear as they mature. Their bodies tell the story too—calloused hands shaped by the rock, and joints that eventually give way to injury. There is an unspoken progression from youthful initiation to professional mastery, and finally to retirement brought on by physical toll.
What Voices from the Abyss does exceptionally well is conveying the passion and generational knowledge behind the dives. The film shows that diving here is more than a stunt or sport—it’s a way of life. And yet, this passion is tethered to economic necessity. While the poetic narration initially leans towards a romanticised view, the film only touches on the financial realities later on. One diver’s comment about needing someone to cover his jump because he was unwell subtly reveals that this is not just performance art—it’s paid labour, with families depending on the income. Their livelihoods are built on the edge of cliffs, both literally and figuratively.
Despite the documentary’s strengths in storytelling and atmosphere, the stylistic approach does introduce limitations. The beauty of the film comes at a cost: the raw thrill of the dive itself is often lost. With frequent use of slow-motion and cross-cutting, we seldom witness a full dive from start to splash. The awe-inspiring moment—the leap, the fall, the impact—is fragmented. This choice may serve the poetic tone, but it slightly dulls the visceral effect of witnessing someone willingly hurl themselves into a narrow sea inlet from 35 metres above.
That said, the documentary’s message remains strong. It brings forward voices that are often unseen, sharing the perspective of those who risk their bodies not just for adrenaline, but to uphold a cultural legacy and to feed their families. The divers speak not with bravado, but with reflection. Their words and movements—paired with the film’s precise editing and haunting soundtrack—create an emotional resonance that lingers well after the credits roll.
In many ways, Voices from the Abyss is more of a visual poem than a traditional documentary. It sacrifices some immediacy and clarity for atmosphere and symbolism, a trade-off that may divide viewers depending on what they seek from a documentary. But for those open to a more interpretive journey, it offers a captivating window into one of Mexico’s most daring and enduring traditions.
A beautifully composed and thoughtful short documentary that honours the legacy and spirit of Acapulco’s cliff divers. While its heavy editing and indirect narration reduce the sheer impact of the dives themselves, Voices from the Abyss still manages to shine as an artistic and emotional tribute to a remarkable community.
Directed by Irving Serrano, Victor Rejón | 23 mins | Mexico | Spanish | Australasia Premiere – International Short Category
Screening at the Doc Edge documentary festival, in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and online from 25 June.