“My Octopus Teacher” on Netflix

If you are looking for something to divert you from the ugliness of US politics and inspire you to… well, not hang yourself, this little documentary is worth watching.

Directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, it presents a year in the life of Craig Foster, an amateur free diver in South Africa.

In 2010, exploring a cold-water kelp forest near his beachside home, Foster came across a young octopus that exhibited what seemed to be an interest in Foster himself. Very gradually, the two formed a relationship of trust and curiosity that led to a surprising number of intimate connections.

This unpretentious little film will astound you and make you reconsider the interconnectedness of all living creatures. Foster’s work takes Jane Goodall’s experience with gorillas to an even more amazing level.

Watch the trailer here.