Juan Teaches Chiron to Swim in ‘Moonlight’ | Rotten Tomatoes’ 21 Most Memorable Moments

Barry Jenkins’ ‘Moonlight’ is one of the most groundbreaking films of the past few decades – it was the first LGBTQ-themed movie to win the Best Picture Oscar, and the first with a mostly black lead cast to do so – but it broke its ground in quiet, intimate ways. The movie’s centerpiece scene sees Chiron, known as Little in the film’s first third and played by Alex Hibbert, being taught to swim by Juan (Mahershala Ali). It’s an incredibly moving moment between a boy finding his way and a father figure holding out his hand for guidance. In this behind-the-scenes look at the swimming lesson, cinematographer James Laxton reveals how he and Jenkins created the look of ‘Moonlight’ and this pivotal moment, and how a storm almost swept away their best laid plans. This reflection on the Juan and Chiron swimming scene is part of Rotten Tomatoes' Most Memorable Moments series, celebrating the most electrifying, terrifying, moving, and hilarious movie moments from the last 21 years.