Culture Interviews Cinema & Tv

“If we can take the time to learn what they have to teach us, we might have a shot at doing well as a species”: Director Drew Xanthopoulos on Fathom and the study of whale song

“If we can take the time to learn what they have to teach us, we might have a shot at doing well as a species”: Director Drew Xanthopoulos on Fathom and the study of whale song

Fathom is the new eye-opening documentary from Drew Xanthopoulos that takes a deep dive into the world of scientific research into whale song.

Following two marine biologists in different parts of the world, both investigating their own tangent on the ability of humpback whales to communicate and express themselves, the film is as much about the scientific process and a window into the lives of those who dedicate themselves to it as it is revelatory about whale song itself. In particular it shines a light upon the reality of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.

We had a fascinating chat with Xanthopoulos about how he came to make a documentary about whale song research, how he treated the subject like science fiction rather than fact and what the film has to say about what we can learn from a truer connection with nature.

Sarah Bradbury

Fathom is released digitally on demand via Apple TV+ on 25th June 2021.

Read our review of Fathom here.

Watch the trailer for Fathom here:

More in Cinema & Tv

Lollipop

Antonia Georgiou

Outrageous: On the red carpet with the cast at the London premiere

Ezelle Alblas

SXSW London 2025: The Life of Chuck

Selina Sondermann

Echo Valley

Antonia Georgiou

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

Mae Trumata

Tornado

Christina Yang

How to Train Your Dragon

Mae Trumata

The Life of Chuck: On the red carpet with Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mike Flanagan at SXSW London 2025

Ezelle Alblas

Juliet and Romeo

Antonia Georgiou