SHORT FILM - PRODUCTION
Clavadista
Written & Directed by Meredith Danluck
Produced by Matthew Shattuck
Made in partnership between Refinery29 and DOVE® Chocolate
Clavadista is a coming-of-age story about 15-year-old Ava Alvarez and her family of clavadistas (or cliff divers). By day, Ava works at a cliffside restaurant while her father and brothers perform dangerous meal-side dives. But in her free time, Ava is secretly passionate about diving as well — and once her family uncovers her secret, everything changes. In this homage to the classic 1980's sport competition film, Danluck captures the utter freedom of diving, Ava's resilience in the face of those who doubt her abilities, and the ultimate triumph of family bonds over societal restrictions. Gorgeously shot on location in Acapulco Mexico with a cast of untrained actors, Clavadista is a cinematic treat.