The Wavescape Film Festival kicked off last Friday with their annual films on the beach. It was a tad windy, but nothing to bad and those that sat it out enjoyed 2 great films. Since then, I have managed to go see the "Africa Project" at the Brass Bell, which was amazing and I have the premier of "Surfers and Sharks" tomorrow evening at the Labia. This is a film I am especially keen to see as it stars my good mate, Roosta, and was co-produced by Chris Mason from Wavescape. Here is the trailer...
Films I have watched so far and highly recommend are:
The Africa Project - The Labia, 20h30, Mon 19th Dec
Jason Hearn has worked on this film for 4 long years, but the wait was worth it. The film takes you on a gorgeous and riveting trip around Africa, showing off the various cultures, beaches and of course waves. The profiles on Franky Oberholzer and Twig are epic and the surfing from Royden Bryson, Jordy and Roosta are of world class quality! If nothing else, this film will inspire you to travel on your own continent for waves!
Splinters - The Labia, 18h15, Sat 17 Dec
I saw the trailer for this a couple of months ago online. It was a heavy thing to watch such a culture in action. The people of these remote villages in Papa New Guinea live on a totally different plane of existence to the one we live on. Woman are treated like possessions and you see some pretty brutal treatment of them through the film. These people live in a totally 3rd world existence, with no money, no infrastructure and no respect for human life! They do have waves though and a culture that has been riding waves for hundreds of years. When an Ozzy pilot leaves his surfboard behind, he begins a story that led to this film being made. It is harsh, it is beautiful and it shows how surfing can change the lives of anyone who gets to try their hand at it. Well worth a watch!
Art of Flight - The Labia, 18h15, Thurs 15th Dec
The movie that will change how Action Sports films are made from now on. Travis Rice and his mad bunch of mates travel the world with all their gear, snowmobiles, helicopters and the best slow-motion cams in the world to create a truly mind blowing cinematic experience. I cannot recommend this one enough! It also shows before the Premier of "Surfing and Sharks".
Year Zero - The Labia, 20h30, Sat 17 Dec
The first of the "Traditional" style surf movies, its actually quite different from the norm. Globe have taken their rather impressive surf team and created a "Mad Max" style world for them to travel around in and surf. The level uf surfing is amazing, especially from the likes of CJ Hobgood and Taj Burrows. Look out for the mutant right tube they surf, it is simply mental! The best part of the film though, was the music! Black Mountain, who I had never heard of before, did the entire soundtrack and its a winner!
Come Hell or High Water - The Labia, 20h30, Sun 18 Dec
As a surfer it is important to know your roots. We all started in the water, without a board, just catching waves and body surfing. This film takes you into the world of those who kept body surfing, instead of moving on like the rest of us. It is beautifully shot and some of the wave riding is truly inspiring. Look out for the monster Wedge section for a little pain and laughter. I felt really good after watching this movie and pretty amped to don my fins again and go charge some shore break!
Life Cycles - The Labia, 18h15, Fri 16th Dec
So no, this is not a surf film, but I still highly recommend you go and see it. This is truly one of the most amazing cinematic films shot in the Action Sport genre and to be able to watch it on the big screen will be amazing! It has become a cult movie in mountain biking for a reason. using new cable tracking systems, super slow-motion and great on board footage, this movie a surreal look into the world of the MTB rider.
For more information on the Wavescape Film festival, go HERE
