A documentary on the relationship between humans and whales.
In production — seeking experts to interview & voiceover talentThe Story
SPYHOP explores the extraordinary relationship between humans and whales — shaped by fear, exploitation, love, and perhaps, mutual curiosity. Filmed over several years, it is the story of two mammals who could hardly be farther apart, yet seem somehow deeply connected, each influencing the other.
Filmmaker's Statement
For twenty years, I've spent my time behind a camera, photographing and filming wildlife — trying, in my own way, to help people fall in love with the natural world.
Of the wild animals I wanted to see, whales were on top but I did not see them until my life journeys brought me to Boston. A fulfilling moment when I saw them for the first time. So mighty and yet they are so gentle. They bring a certain sense of joy every time they come up for air.
In 2022, I picked up a 1000-fps slow-motion camera, curious what it might reveal about creatures too fast for our eyes to properly take in. While birds and butterflies were ideal for such slow motion videos, whales at first seemed slow for such high speed photography. I was wrong — the stunning artistry that I saw was worth pursuing. Over the next several years I was capturing various surface behaviors in super slow motion.
I spent more time on the water, made friends among the guides and naturalists who know these animals best, and learned things that reshaped how I saw the relationship between us and whales. Some of what I learned — the history of hunting them, in particular — made little sense to me. And some of it — the sheer joy on people's faces the first time they see a whale up close — amazed me just as much. Besides the research underway, dedicated individuals are working to collect data, respond to entanglements, and shift education and perception — fighting against the equally fragmented issues that harm the whales. It calls for a unified story.
SPYHOP is my attempt to share this extraordinary relationship between whales and us: stunning visuals, a carefully curated presentation, and a story worth telling well.
— Rajesh Mohanasundaram
Supporters
This film exists because these people and organizations believed in it early.
Top Supporters
Wanted
This film is still taking shape, and a few key voices are missing. If one of these is you, I'd like to hear from you.
Willing to experiment — someone interested in bringing vocals into the score, working with whale song and water in unconventional ways.
Someone who can bring the emotion — a narrator who can carry curiosity, awe, and restraint in the same breath.
Researchers and field specialists, especially in whale entanglement — I'm looking to speak with people doing this work directly.
If your life has been deeply impacted by whales, I want to hear from you.
Tell me a bit about yourself and what you'd bring to the project.
Support
SPYHOP isn't backed by any studio — it's entirely self-funded. Public support, in the form of encouragement, word-of-mouth, and any help along the way, is key to this project's success. As the film develops, that moral support will play a big role.
As I enter the phase of putting it all together, I need professional help and funding to complete and promote the film. Anyone willing to sponsor part of the costs would be a welcome relief. Please email info@spyhopfilm.com.