‘Nyad’: A Tale of Tenacity Translated to Screen by Acclaimed Documentary Duo

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The acclaimed directorial pair, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, known for their pulse-raising documentary spectacles, have made the leap into narrative cinema with the engaging drama ‘Nyad,’ which chronicles the awe-inspiring journey of Diana Nyad’s Cuba to Key West swim at 64, now viewable on Netflix.

These filmmakers have previously captured heart-stopping true events, such as Alex Honnold’s death-defying ascent of El Capitan in the Academy Award-honored ‘Free Solo,’ and the harrowing underwater rescue in ‘The Rescue.’ Their deep insight into the psyche of individuals undertaking such herculean tasks is almost without rival in cinematic storytelling.

Thus, it was almost destined for Vasarhelyi and Chin to be drawn to—and possess the right skill set for—depicting Diana Nyad’s hazardous 110-mile swim through shark-infested waters in their first foray into narrative film. The transition from documentary to drama brought a new element to their filmmaking—working with professional actors.

Transitioning from the role of observer in documentary filmmaking to that of a participant was a revelation for Vasarhelyi, she expressed to The Big Big News. The fictional narrative offered a new avenue of expression, magnified by their accomplished lead actors—Annette Bening as Nyad, Jodie Foster as her confidant and coach Bonnie Stoll, and Rhys Ifans as the expedition’s navigator.

Vasarhelyi and Chin, both having two children and married, had been probing the narrative domain when the ‘Nyad’ script appeared before them. It resonated with their affinity for narratives about individuals chasing dreams against the odds, particularly through a female-centric lens.

With a background that includes being Mike Nichols’ assistant on ‘Closer’ twenty years prior, Vasarhelyi wasn’t entirely new to directing actors. She reminisced about the invaluable learning experience, noting the paramount importance of rehearsal and script integrity.

The pandemic-induced delay of nine months allowed for a deeper engagement with the material alongside their actors and screenwriter, Julia Cox. Much like coaching athletes, Vasarhelyi and Chin found their expertise in creating conducive environments for performance applied to actors as well.

Despite the pressure of their debut in narrative directing, Chin spoke of the formidable first-day experience, delivering direction via megaphone to a decorated actor like Foster, under the gaze of an extensive crew. This approach, albeit unconventional, was vital to adhere to the shooting schedule.

Bening and Foster immersed themselves fully, both mentally and physically, embodying their characters after spending considerable time with the real-life figures and undergoing rigorous physical preparation. Bening’s commitment included a year of swimming training, crucial for authenticity in the role.

Vasarhelyi applauded Bening for her portrayal of Nyad, emphasizing her readiness to embody a multifaceted and at times, not entirely likable character. The film, while honoring Nyad’s strict adherence to the rules of her monumental, unassisted swim, does not shy away from portraying her more abrasive traits.

The production was also graced with the expertise of Claudio Miranda, an Oscar-winning cinematographer known for his work on ‘Life of Pi.’ Despite the more modest resources compared to Miranda’s past projects, the challenges were abundant, including the complexity of working with prosthetics and the unpredictability of water scenes.

Yet, amidst these challenges, there were moments of magic, such as Bening perfectly capturing Nyad’s victorious beach landing on the first attempt, moving the entire crew to tears.

The release of ‘Nyad’ has been somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing actors strike, which has affected the film’s ability to celebrate its cast and crew’s efforts. Despite these hurdles, Vasarhelyi holds the actors’ struggle in high regard, acknowledging the significance of their plight, while also expressing a desire for the film’s contributors, especially Bening, to receive their due recognition.

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More about Diana Nyad film

• Free Solo
• The Rescue
• Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
• Jimmy Chin
• Diana Nyad’s Historic Swim
• Annette Bening
• Jodie Foster
• Rhys Ifans
• Actors’ Strike in Hollywood