Marianne Cramer

The Mediterranean. Because people have been travelling there for thousands of years, it is believed to be without secrets. And yet, far below its surface, lie vast unexplored territories, luxurious gardens worthy of the finest tropical coral reefs. These natural wonders are inaccessible to the traditional diver, in a twilight zone, between 60 and 120 m, where there’s less than 1% of sunlight. If diving at such depths is always a challenge, staying there is a fantasy, a utopia that becomes reality in Planet Mediterranean. In the tradition of Commander Cousteau and his "houses under the sea," the team of diver-photographer Laurent Ballesta is undertaking a new world-record setting mission in complete freedom and without time limit.

A group of Chilean and French researchers, explorers and filmmakers travels to the Patagonian island of Madre de Dios. Here they find another world, one of primeval forests, marble glaciers and an unforgiving climate.

В месте, где температура понижается до — 40, а ветер способен развивать скорость до 55 м/с — обитают удивительные животные. Большинство из них невозможно встретить в других точках планеты. Как им живется в суровой Антарктике? В чём секрет их невероятной силы, помогающей выжить в условиях вечной мерзлоты? Чтобы продолжить род, они должны вырастить потомство как можно быстрее, до прихода страшной зимней полярной ночи.

Protected by an international treaty Antarctica has been spared the effects of hunting and fishing. But signs in ice’s cyclical patterns and its biodiversity have become worrying. Connected to the planet’s global ecosystem via atmospheric circulation and ocean currents, this white haven is suffering the effects of human activities. To document and explain what is unfolding in Antarctica, photographer, diver, and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta and photographer of extreme environments Vincent Munier will be blending their artistic perspectives of a rapidly changing continent. Laurent will tackle technical and human prowess below the ice to bear witness to its remarkable underwater life. His photographs will advance knowledge on Antarctica’s unique and little-known biodiversity. On land, his eye riveted to the lens of his camera, Vincent captures snapshots of life in an Emperor Penguin colony.