Maria Bakalova Finds Her Love of Acting Rekindled by “Learning to Breathe Under Water”

Oscar-nominated actress Maria Bakalova says her new drama “Learning to Breathe Under Water” has reignited her passion for acting—and she’s not holding back about it.

At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where the film is premiering, Bakalova opened up about why this project hit differently. She praised director Rebekah Fortune for crafting a deeply compassionate story about grief, healing, and hope that reminded her exactly why she became an actress in the first place.

The British-Irish drama centers on eight-year-old Leo, a boy grappling with his mother’s death. Living with his emotionally withdrawn father and an imaginary giant shark that has mysteriously crashed through their roof, Leo’s life takes a turn when an au pair named Anya arrives and begins helping the broken family find its way back together.

Bakalova described the screenplay as something rare—a story that manages to be both heartbreaking and warm, grounded in reality yet tinged with imagination. She was drawn to its unflinching look at childhood grief and the strength people find through human connection.

While the film doesn’t shy away from painful emotions, Bakalova emphasized that it ultimately sends a hopeful message. The story, she explained, teaches that healing happens when people learn to talk openly about their pain and allow themselves to be vulnerable.

Director Rebekah Fortune tackles loss through a child’s eyes, blending realism with magical touches—most notably the peculiar giant shark resting on the family’s roof. Rather than existing purely as fantasy, the shark represents Leo’s grief and emotional distance, a visual stand-in for feelings he can’t quite articulate.

The filmmakers hope their approach encourages both kids and adults to face difficult emotions together instead of running from them.

Rory Kinnear plays Leo’s grieving father, with Bakalova as Anya. Young actor Ezra Carlisle takes on the role of Leo in one of his biggest film parts yet. Produced by Shudder Films and Wildcard, the 96-minute feature is world premiering in the festival’s Special Screenings section.

Despite its heavy subject matter, Bakalova believes audiences will walk out feeling optimistic. The film, she said, is ultimately about finding the courage to move forward, reconnect with the people you love, and discover joy again after tragedy strikes.

With strong performances and imaginative storytelling, “Learning to Breathe Under Water” is already standing out as one of the most emotionally powerful films debuting at KVIFF this year.