“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.