Craig Foster, Oscar-winning octopus filmmaker boss, lost his luxurious South African seafront home in an unsolved fire.
In My Octopus Teacher, the 52-year-old director brought joy to millions around the world. He also played a role in the film about his friendship and love for a female Atlantic Ocean Ocean octopus.
He visited his friend, eight-tentacled, every day over a year to build a trusting relationship with him. The film earned him the Academy Award at 2021 BAFTA.
He lives in a four-bedroom home in Simonstown with Swati Thiyagarajan, an Indian filmmaker wife. It overlooks False bay in which he filmed The Best Documentary Feature.
Craig Foster (52), Director, has lost his Murdock Valley home worth a million pounds to firefighters on Thursday.
Craig Foster (pictured) brought delight to millions worldwide in My Octopus Teacher a film in which he also starred about his friendship with a female Atlantic Ocean octopus
Netflix’s documentary follows Craig Foster as he develops a friendship with an ordinary South African octopus.
Nobody was hurt in the blaze that strong winds turned into a fireball at the £1m property which was gutted in the tragedy but finally put out by a firemen from neighbouring fire stations.
Matthew Steward from Neighbour said, “It was quite a big fire. The roof burst into flames. But luckily no one was hurt. All the animals got out.” It was fortunate it didn’t spread to other houses.
Fire broke out in Murdock Valley’s upmarket area at 10:00 am on Thursday. Simon’s Town Fire and Rescue and Cape Medical Response responded to the scene and it was put out in less than two hours.
The fire, which started on Thursday at 10 a.m., did not cause any injuries.
A neighbour, who requested not to be identified, said that the house had been the headquarters for My Octopus Teacher. It was also featured in the movie a lot and became a part our local history.
She said that Swati and Craig will feel “devestated” because there may be years of film work, notes, irreplaceable research and the Academy Award for Best Film.