Aliens of The Deep

Documentary screening.

A 2005 American documentary film, directed in part by James Cameron, alongside fellow cameraman and friend, Steven Quale.

Cameron teams up with NASA scientists and marine biologists to explore the mid-ocean ridges, submerged chains of mountains in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that are home to some of the planet's more unusual forms of life.

The vents have their own unique ecosystem, which supports a diverse range of organisms like giant tube worms, swarms of blind white crabs, and vast numbers of shrimp which are capable of 'seeing' water that is heated by the vents. These creatures do not require sunlight like most other organisms, and instead obtain their energy from the vents. They are able to survive in the superheated and sulfurous water.

Because of this, the documentary suggests, this is what life beyond Earth might look like. As some alien ecosystems are likely to be a lot harsher than a typical terrestrial ecosystem, these exotic vents provide an insight into some of the forms that alien life might take.

The documentary shows Cameron's passion for exploring the oceans, and his interest in extraterrestrial life, and showcases the technology employed to reach such depths.