Broward Premiere / USA / 2025 / English / 57 min / Marine Biology, Conservation, Eco-system.
Director: Rory Fielding: Writer: Rory Fielding, Cynthia Bilder Caminiti: Producer: Rory Fielding, Mia Laurenzo, Felipe Marrou, Scott Rogo, Cortney Fielding; Director of Photography: Felipe Marrou; Cinematographers: Frazier Nivens, Drew Lorenger; Editor: Scott Rogo, Felipe Marrou; Original Music Score: Christophe Chagnard, Renee Sunbird.
Narrator: Peter Coyote;
Contact: roryfielding@gmail.com
Presented for FREE thanks to the support of
NOMINATED FOR TWO SUNCOAST EMMYS FOR BEST DIRECTOR & BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: DESCENT – Into the Blue is a powerful and impactful documentary narrated by Peter Coyote, showcasing the best of the human spirit – the fight to save our ocean’s ecosystem and critically endangered coral reefs. The film’s inspiration was the original symphony Terra Nostra, musically portraying the story of climate change. The documentary features stunning 6K underwater cinematography, researchers and volunteers who tirelessly strive to reverse the damage and preserve our vital coral reefs. DESCENT is cinematic, uniquely featuring poetry written and recited by young students, inspired by our oceans. The opening Starfish parable sets the theme – that we all can make a small difference.
Our process was unique, the film structured like a symphony in five movements—Majesty, Exploration, Problem, Battle, and Hope. DESCENT-Into The Blue takes viewers on a theatrical journey into the underwater world. Through the eyes of veteran underwater videographers with decades of experience we witness the profound transformations and human impact on our reefs and seas.
Each note of the original score mirrors the ocean’s colors, textures and currents. At its heart, DESCENT-Into the Blue is a story about the resilience of those striving to rebuild coral reefs after the catastrophic bleaching events which now affect over 75% of the world’s reefs. It is also a generational story of stewardship passed from seasoned advocates to a new generation of young ocean protectors, committed to preserving our ecosystem despite inevitable failures and personal sacrifice.
SPECIAL GUESTS: Rory Felding
SPONSORED BY
Director Biography – Rory Fielding
Fielding is an Emmy award-winning director and producer. He recently produced the national PBS Documentary Troubled Waters featuring Ted Danson, focusing on the human impact facing our oceans and its sea creatures. Troubled Waters began PBS nationwide distribution in June 2020. It was nominated for five Emmys, winning two for Outstanding Photography and Best Director.
He directed 1955, Seven Days of Fall broadcast nationwide on PBS. 1955 earned three major awards including New York Independent Film Festival Award for Best Documentary. 1955 has become a baseball classic, now residing in the Hall of Fame, Cooperstown NY.
Rory has directed numerous films including biographies of musical artists, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and others.
His latest film, We’re All Plastic People Now explores the effects of plastic pollution not only on our oceans, but on human health. We’re All Plastic People Now won an Emmy for Long Form Documentary (Environmental). The film has been released nationally by PBS. Ted Danson reprises his role introducing this ground-breaking documentary. We’re All Plastic People Now has been accepted by the prestigious Santa Fe Film Festival, April 2024.
Fielding’s latest film Decent-Into the Blue is truly unique, merging the music score of world-renowned composer Christophe Chagnard, with stunning underwater photography to be performed live worldwide. Descent tells the story of the magical world that lies beneath our oceans and the urgent need to protect it. Descent merges the talents of musicians, poets, composers and graphic artists for a true multimedia experience. Descent-Into the Blue Premieres at major Film Festivals 2025-2026.
Director Statement
I was inspired to direct DESCENT-INTO THE BLUE after attending a performance of the symphony Terra Nostra which musically portrays the story of climate change. Directors traditionally create the film first and then add the music score. The idea of creating in reverse fascinated me. As a director, my motivation was to try something different, combining elements of stunning 6K underwater visuals, symphonic music, character development and a narrative threaded by poetry written and recited by youth, inspired by the oceans. The goal was for DESCENT to not only educate, but to inspire and connect on an emotional and cinematic level.
It’s structured like a symphony in five movements—Majesty, Exploration, Problem, Battle, and Hope. DESCENT-INTO THE BLUE takes viewers on a theatrical journey into the underwater world. Through the eyes of veteran underwater videographers with over five decades of experience, we witness the profound transformations and human impact on our coral reefs and seas.
DESCENT-INTO THE BLUE is a cinematic journey, weaving science, art, music and poetry to spark an emotional cord, revealing an underwater world unknow to most humans.
I directed most scenes to allow the characters to tell their own stories, the cameras unobtrusive observers. It is not solely a science story, but a human one – the passing of the torch of stewardship from one generation to our young, helping to preserve our fragile ecosystem, against long odds.