Epic plankton blooms make filming in the North Sea notoriously difficult. But a new documentary gives a rare glimpse of the kaleidoscopic life \u2013 seals, sharks, tuna, orcas and shorthorn sculpins \u2013 lurking beneath its waves<\/p>\n
The North Sea, as even its greatest admirers will concede, often glowers an unappetising grey or brown. And we assume that its dull exterior is matched by sediment-filled waters where little life dwells. For years, the friends and family of Peter van Rodijnen wondered why the Dutch cinematographer and diving fanatic spent so much time exploring \u201cthis murky bowl of soup\u201d. But, inspired by a childhood of watching Jacques Cousteau\u2019s adventures in rather more enticingly temperate waters, Van Rodijnen\u2019s dedication to North Sea diving gradually revealed its hidden wonders.<\/p>\n
Over 20 years, as camera technology improved, Van Rodijnen obtained more and more amazing footage of marine life near his home on the Netherlands coast. Nearly a decade ago, he teamed up with director Mark Verkerk. \u201cWe started with the idea,\u201d says Van Rodijnen, \u201cthat if somebody can make a movie about the North Sea, it\u2019s got to be us.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/133cf01dccae88c5760a3bf553f4ee5572f3a55e\/2404_906_4703_3762\/master\/4703.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=8cda8c232809d104faa0b1370a0b8d27\" "\\"\u2018Sharks")
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