the sheer size of the waves was what intrigued the film's director, finnish filmmaker minna dufton. surf-- albeit on smaller waves. a lot of the film is about big feelings and how to conquer them. is that what you were going for with the title "big vs. small?" >> joana is tiny and the wave is rather huge, and i've always been drawn to opposites. and i found it so interesting, how you figure out what is big and what is small in us humans. >> sy: the story is as much about surfing as it is about the mental strength and mindset it takes to conquer these waves, particularly when you have a profound fear of drowning, as andrade does. >> of course, i'm afraid to drown. but i keep going there because i want to know why i'm so afraid to drown. >> sy: oh, so you're trying to explore your fear through surfing? >> yeah, yeah. >> i was lucky enough to know just the woman that could help, and that could help joana face her fear of drowning. >> oh my god. >> this is going to be our swimming pool today. >> sy: johanna nordblad is one of the world's best free-divers: divers who plunge into watery d