National Geographic Documentary Films has commissioned a documentary film about the 2018-rescue of the youth soccer team from Thailand in early-July who became trapped in a flooding cave, with the working title, Thai Cave Rescue.
Thai Cave Rescue, with the Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald, will chronicle the 2 weeks that 12 boys and their assistant coach were stuck in the cave as rescuers tried to save them and a global audience watched the news.
Thai Cave Rescue will also explore the dangerous world of cave diving.
Thai Cave Rescue will have interviews with the British cave divers Richard Stanton, John Volanthen, Chris Jewell, Jason Mallinson, Connor Roe, Josh Bratchley and Jim Warny, in addition to in-depth interviews with Australian divers Dr Richard Harris and Craig Challen.
A diverse group of local citizens will be interviewed in the film as well.
Thai Cave Rescue is produced by Storyteller Productions and producers P.J. van Sandwijk and Michael Lesslie, the second production in a long-term strategic partnership between Storyteller Productions and Passion Pictures.
"This rescue mission is more than just a story of hope, it's a story of humanity coming together," says Kevin Macdonald. "This film will represent a full 360-degree view of the crisis, told through unexpected angles and with untold stories."
John Battsek, Passion Pictures producer, says "The inherent drama of this rescue captured the attention of the world like few recent events have. As producers, for P.J. and I to now have the opportunity to tell this remarkable story in partnership with the team at National Geographic Documentary Films - who have been responsible for some of the most successful and impactful feature documentaries of recent times - is extremely exciting."
Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president of scripted content and documentary films for National Geographic National Geographic (DStv 181 / StarSat 220 / Cell C black 261), says: "I've long admired Kevin Macdonald's artistic vision and virtuosity when it comes to authentic storytelling".
"I'm elated to be working with him, John Battsek and P.J. van Sandwijk to help audiences better understand the complexities of this captivating story."
