Kat Murphy is a power trolling fisherman. Strictly adhering to this traditional, sustainable fishing practice comes with its challenges. In The Grace, directors Natalie Berger and Moira Fett follow her for months as she navigates the ups and downs of life at sea while running a small fishing business. Their delicate observational approach invites us into Kat’s world with a captivating intimacy.

“[We] were captivated by Kat’s fiercely independent, adventurous spirit and the depth of her poetic inner life”

Berger explained that she first met Kat while working for one of her clients, an encounter that eventually led to filming aboard her boat as she shared her story as a first-generation fisherman. “From the start, Moira and I were captivated by Kat’s fiercely independent, adventurous spirit and the depth of her poetic inner life,” Berger told S/W. Kat’s story as a young fisherman, her relationship with the sea, and her commitment to sustainable fishing inspired the directors to make a film that followed her both on and off the water. Allowing themselves to be guided by her life, they crafted a compelling and empowering portrait that captures not only Kat’s experience but also expands to offer a more general depiction of the sustainable commercial fishing industry.

Kat is a charismatic participant, and her unique position within the industry makes The Grace’s observational approach particularly effective. Spending much of her time alone on the boat, the vérité style brings this quietness and intimacy to the screen in a poignant and emotional way. The close proximity of shooting on the boat is palpable throughout, and the rapport Berger and Fett built with Kat makes the film all the more immersive. Beautifully photographed, The Grace captures both the beauty and the unforgiving nature of the sea while also communicating Kat’s passion for her work.

In an environment like Kat’s fishing boat, sound is essential to recreate the experience of life on the water. Working alongside sound designer Todd Yeager and composer Noah Weinman, the filmmakers aimed to craft “a sonic landscape that deepens the emotional and sensory experience of the film.” The result enhances the film’s subtlety, allowing the audience to experience Kat’s world rather than be guided through it with a more didactic approach. It also enhances the emotional layers of the story as we watch Kat sharpening her skills while also balancing the demands of running a business.

Alongside Hana Weurker, both Berger and Fett also share editing credits, and together they find the perfect balance between the different layers of the story. The Grace seamlessly weaves together Kat’s personal and professional lives, her experience as an environmentalist fisherman, and the wider challenges facing the commercial fishing industry. These threads complement one another perfectly, giving the documentary a clear narrative structure. After filming over the course of two years, the filmmakers have created a portrait that successfully conveys both the emotional depth of Kat’s story and the resilience required to live it.

The Grace made its online debut as a Vimeo Staff Pick after a successful festival run that included screenings at Big Sky, RiverRun, and, on Kat’s home turf, the Anchorage International Film Festival.