My Octopus Teacher (2020)

3 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

Eight Arms to Hold You

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

This simple, lovely documentary is based around dazzling footage shot by Craig Foster, who free-dives into a kelp forest off the coast of South Africa. He meets an octopus and decides to return every day for a year, hoping to win the animal's trust. We see her eating, using her suckers to pick up debris and hide, and evading hungry sharks. She does lose a leg to a shark in one horrifying scene, but, happily, it grows back! Directors Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed also interview Foster on camera, providing the narration for the underwater footage. This one may break your heart, but it'll also lift your spirits.