“Drowning In Silence” – Documentary to Save Lives

In the heart-wrenching documentary Drowning in Silence, (https://www.drowninginsilence.com/) debut director Chezik (pronounced Shay-zik) Tsunoda throws us a vital lifesaver by sharing her tragic loss and the loss of other families who’ve had firsthand experience with the #1 cause of death in children ages 1-4, drowning.  The film, which made its international debut at the Toronto Women’s International Film Festival will make its U.S. debut at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (Arlington Theatre 1317 State St, Santa Barbara 93101) on Thursday, March 10^th at 5 p.m. (Metro #1) and March 11^th at 12 noon (Metro #4). Executive Producers are Actor, Hill Harper (ABC’s The Good Doctor) & Film & TV editor, Joe Beshenkovsky (This American Life). A live Q&A with Producer/Director Chezik Tsunoda will immediately follow both screenings. 

In Drowning in Silence (86 mins) a mother investigates the silent epidemic of childhood drowning after the accidental death of her 3-year-old son, Yori.  She documents her transformative journey of grief channeled into purpose to stop this preventable tragedy from happening to other families. 

Tsunoda takes audiences on an intimate and brave journey for answers and healing as she discovers little known facts about drowning from interviews with families, doctors, and thought leaders.  Drowning in Silence is as much about seeking solace as it is about finding solutions to prevent this 100% preventable tragedy. 

Tsunoda states “My hope for this film is that there will be a shift in behaviors around water safety, equity for all children learning to swim, and ultimately a world where no child drowns. I also hope that parents isolated by tragedy and guilt feel connected through these stories of grief.”

Drowning in Silence also delves into the racial inequalities of childhood drowning and the lack of access Black and brown children have to safe swimming and swim lessons – being they are five times more likely to drown than white children.  From pediatricians to advocates for local and federal water safety, the documentary explores what we can do to shift the pendulum, end childhood drownings, and create greater racial equity in water safety. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause other than birth defects (www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html). 

Drowning disparities are highest among Black children ages 5-9 (rates 2.6 times higher) and ages 10-14 (rates 3.6 times higher).  In swimming pools, Black children ages 10-14 years drown at rates 7.6 times higher than White children. Black children and youth are more likely to drown in public pools, and white children and youth are more likely to drown in residential pools.

Committed to educating parents on water safety and drowning prevention, Tsunoda works with various local organizations in her social impact work around the documentary. Screenings at SBIFF will serve as a way to gather local swim, drowning prevention, and water safety organizations such as Kymberlea Troye who is bringing ISR (isrsantabarbara.com) to Santa Barbara this spring.

Chezik Tsunoda is a successful director and producer based in Seattle and Los Angeles whose work has spanned television, film, and advertising.  She learned the ropes of production at MTV News and Docs and turned that knowledge into developing award-winning docuseries for VH-1. She focuses on projects that address everyday issues such as race, grief, marriage, and death with a unique lens that gives viewers a unique and rare perspective. 

Drowning in Silence cinematographers are Jeff Dolen, Paul Mailman, and Seth Haley and editing was done by Claire Ave’Lallemant. 

For additional information visit: https://www.drowninginsilence.com/.

Watch the Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdVNXojB6R0.

Press Inquiries

Queen Publicity | Allison Queen

Allison.Queen@gmail.com 

(310) 849-3820

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