Swimming Through Time: Sally Aitken on 'Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story'

An exploration of one of Australia's most fascinating yet overlooked screen figures, Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story sheds some overdue light on the titular underwater photographer and filmmaker. Premiering at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, Sally Aitken's documentary chronicles Valerie Taylor's life and career from her early endeavours as a shark hunter and documentary maker to the iconic shark footage she shot for Hollywood blockbuster Jaws, as well as her later work as a respected marine conservationist. Oliver Pfeiffer talks to the director about finally giving the 85-year-old her due credit, and about her effort to redefine a living legend of oceanography.

Additional keywords:
Ron Taylor, underwater photography, conservation, spearfishing, hunting, Steven Spielberg, Blue Water, White Death