Wavescapes Synopses

See synopses of films, the film schedule, artist info and photos of boards, art poster, festival poster

DONAVON: ALIVE IN TAHITI

Tahiti, USA 2008, Video, 44 min
Director: Billabong
Cast: Donovan Frankenreiter, and friends

Eish! This film will make your soul ache. You might freak out. It's not fair. How can one guy get so much? But let it go, if you can. Transcend your tormented ego and live vicariously for an hour through Donavan. Become Donavan. Journey to Tahiti and surf with the world’s best, jam with the locals, and swim with sharks. With exclusive tracks from Frankenreiter's new album Pass it Around, the film will take you to paradise and show you a side of Donavon very few see. See video

Sat 19 Dec, Labia 18h00 (with Fly in the Champagne)

THE PRESENT

USA 2009, 16mm / 35mm / Video, 74 min
Director: Thomas Campbell
Cast: Dave Rastovich, Dane Reynolds, Joel Tudor, Chelsea Hedges, Kassia Meador, Dan Malloy, Rob Machado

Wow. By the acclaimed director of The Seedling and Sprout here comes your Christmas prezzie cuz. A multi-cultural exploration of surfing and surfers through a 16mm lens in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, California, Indo and Peru. You know that with Campbell, it will be art, and at times visceral poetry. He LIVES in the film, like he camped in the celluloid. There is so much care in the shots, like Tarantino but without the chopsuey. Quirky moments too. Lank fun for everyone. See video

Fri 11 Dec, Clifton 21h00
Sun 20 Dec, Labia 20h00

STILL FILTHY

USA 2009, 16mm / HD, 54 min
Director: Jarrod Tallman
Cast: Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Joel Parkinson, Wade Goodall

A fast-paced sequel to iconic 80’s flick – the “raw and unapologetic” Filthy Habits, where the ous hit the lip so hard they knew they would hurt themselves, said Richie Collins at the time. The new Bong crew, with Andy, Parko, Taj, Wade and even our own Dooma, share the sentiments as they rip around the planet. If the old crew had seen Still Filthy, they may have peed in their checkerboard rods. A hard-driving soundtrack and more airs than Victorian royalty at high tea, Still Filthy will make you hang for surf as the southeast yowls across a frigid sea. See video

Mon 14 Dec, Bell 21h00 (with Dear & Yonder)
Sun 20 Dec, Labia 18h00 (with Glacier Project)

THE DRIFTER

USA, Indonesia 2009, Video, 57 min
Director: Taylor Steele
Cast: Rob Machado

The Horror! The Horror! In the summer of 2008, iconic surfer and former Pipe Master Rob Machado flew to Indonesia to seek solitude and solace. Like Captain Kurt, he goes a little loco, acts weird and surfs his nuts off. Deep in the jungle, he surfs an unknown Indo reef, and gets barrelled off his pip. His Zen-like mastery of surfing is a flowing counterpoint to the Americano machismo. What did he discover? D-o-o-o-d! Dear Diary: Don’t stop dreaming. Sick waves. Girls go ga-ga. See video

Sun 13 Dec, Bell 21h00
Thur 17Dec, Labia 20h00

SEARCHING FOR MICHAEL PETERSON

Australia 2009, 16mm / Video, 45 min
Director: Jolyon Hoff
Cast: Alby Falzon, Rabbit Bartholomew, Nat Young, Mark Richards, Wayne Lynch

You may sob quietly into your hoodie. The moving story of perhaps the most talented surfer the world has seen, in the 70s certainly. The brat pack of the era – including Mark Richards and Rabbit – were scared to surf against him in a contest. But the slow seeping spectre of paranoid schizophrenia was consuming Michael Peterson. The painfully shy youngster was a monstrous competitor but on a wave, he was a beautiful and fluid being. He now lives in a mental home. See video

(PG 13)  Fri 18 Dec, Labia 20h00 (with Musica Surfica)

DEAR & YONDER

USA 2009, Video, 54 min
Director: Tiffany Campbell
Cast: Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Silvana Lima, Coco Ho, Sofia Mulanovich, Kassia Meador, Belinda Baggs

Be propelled to a new level of skill and self-expression by a cast of beautiful people with supremely subtle and fluid grace at the most ridiculously good waves you will see, well, until the next Wavescapes film screens some the most ridiculously good waves you will see, and so on, like a nested Matryoshka. Rich, heady visions take you into the present, and back on soul-filled forays to uncover the rich history of women's surfing with icons such as Rell Sunn, Kim Mearig and Lisa Andersen. Epic! See video

Mon 14 Dec, Bell 21h00 (with Still Filthy)
Sat 19 Dec, Labia 20h00 (with Inside Teehupo’o)

SHAPED

USA 2009, Video / 16mm, 58 min
Director: Walter Georis
Cast: Robert Wingnut Weaver, and old ballies

This historically resonant doccie delves into the genesis of shaping - how it came about, the tools, who was there, and why. A tribute to the pioneers of the 1960s, who unwittingly shaped (ag sorry man) surfing as we know it. These innovators had no idea how their work would change the lives of millions of people through their thinking and commitment. Yes s’true. See video

Thu 17 Dec, Labia 18h00 (with Fly in the Champagne)

MUSICA SURFICA

Australia 2008, Video / 16mm, 46 min
Director: Mick Sowry
Cast: Richard Tognetti, Derek Hynd, Tom Carroll

A pod of classical musicians and surfers push creativity to the limit. Shot on King Island in Southern Australia, this amazing film recounts an experiment by Derek Hynd, one of the world's most influential surfers, and Richard Tognetti, leading violinist and Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Hynd challenges Tognetti, Tom Carroll and hot young surf rats to ride un-finned surfboards that force a total paradigm shift. Tognetti restrings his R70million Del Gesu violin with gut to do the same with his music. Unbelievable! See video

Wed 16 Dec, Bell 21h00 (with Fresh Fruit for Rotten Vegetables)
Fri 18 Dec, Labia 20h00 (with Searching for Michael Peterson)

QUEST FOR FEAR

USA, South Africa 2009, Video, 52 min
Director: Grant Washburn
Cast: Greg Long, Grant Twiggy Baker, Grant Spooner, Peter Mel, Matt Ambrose, Jeff Clark

Join the migratory hunt to ride a wave the Americans call the African Mavericks. You can guess where it is. On our doorstep. A spectacular ten year journey in pursuit of the ultimate big wave, with the dark thump of the Dungeons holding court. Chase the swells of the decade and explore a monstrous new frontier. Re-cut with incredible footage from 2008, including the last Red Bull Big Wave Africa after 10 years in existence. Features music by the Mermen. Narrated by Grant Washburn. See video

Tue 15 Dec, Bell 21h00 (with Fly in the Champagne)

FRESH FRUIT FOR FROZEN VEGETABLES

USA 2009, Video, 38 min
Director: Steve Cleveland
Cast: Joel Tudor, Jen Smith, Jane Wessels, Belinda Baggs, Jai Lee, Bryce Young, Beau Young, Bonga Perkins

A stereotypical surf movie, but includes awe-inspiring longboarding. Sharp shots. Sharpshoot! Hooterific moves. Have you ever seen a longboarder pulling off an aerial re-entry? Chah brah. And guess what, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables was the debut album by punk band Dead Kennedys in 1980, not that I have any idea why there is a connection, apart from the music, which includes The Pixies and Stone Roses. Hard rock to soulful ballads. Kiff! See video

Wed 16 Dec, Bell 21h00 (with Musica Surfica)

LOST PROPHETS

USA, Indonesia 2009, Video, 52 min
Director: Nathan Apffel
Cast: Reef McIntosh, Brian Conley, Dave Rastovich, Hans Hagen, Nole Cossart, Made Adi Putra

Ay like bru, some people live life asleep – they dream they are awake. When you need a creative device to construct a narrative from sick footage of perfect people surfing perfect waves, whaddya do? Play with the guru metaphor – the prophet – and project it into nine surfers, from a renegade canyon dweller to a devout West Java Muslim. You get a vivid picture, moving and metaphoric, of lives ‘intertwined by adventure, balance, dedication and connection”. The barrels you see will make you cry in a bucket. The perfection will force you to have plastic surgery. See video

Fri 18 Dec, Labia 18h00 (with Black People Don’t Swim)

BLACK PEOPLE DON'T SWIM

South Africa 2008, Video, 48 min
Director: Lucilla Blankenberg
Cast: Kwezi Qika, Shaun Tomson

Cut to a beanie-clad comedian standing in a spotlight: "When white people dance, they swim. When black people swim, they drown." This documentary follows junior longboard champion Kwezi Qika during an episode in his life (literally). It investigates myth and stereotype, which is chucked into the trash, and hails the sacrifice made by his domestic worker mum. Music by Roger Lucey, superb wave riding by Kwezi, and a cameo by Shaun Tomson.

Fri  18 Dec, Labia 18h00 (with Lost Prophets)

FLY IN THE CHAMPAGNE

USA 2009, Video, 48 min
Director: Iron Bros Productions
Cast: Andy Irons, Kelly Slater

Is it a case of No Kandui? The aptly titled film documents the fierce rivalry between Andy Irons and Kelly Slater. It comes to a head on Kandui Island in Indo, one of the most insane lefthand barrels in the world. With top cinematographers and action sports personality Sal Masekela, son of South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela, helping to produce the film, it's slick, and jam-packed with breathtaking visuals. Little wonder: you have two of the biggest egos, sorry best surfers, in the world to drive the subject matter. See video

Tue 15 Dec, Bell 21h00 (with Quest for Fear)
Sat  19 Dec, Labia 18h00 (with Donavon: Alive in Tahiti)

THE GLACIER PROJECT

USA 2009, Video, 48 min
Directors: Ryan Casey and Brent Meeske
Cast: Kealii Mamala, Garrett McNamara

You will soon shiver in empathetic fear as 400 foot glaciers “calve” into the sea, skyscraper chunks creating the world's biggest wave machine. Your teeth will chatter at the idea that you can die from ice shrapnel fired from the detonating ice. Big wave surfers Kealii Mamala and Garrett McNamara kak off on a whacked mission to Alaska, dodging ice and suffering their own meltdowns. Crazy stuff. Success will bring back-pats and warm cheer at pioneering a fast-dwindling frontier. Failure means death. See video

Sun 20 Dec, Labia 18h00 (with Still Filthy)

INSIDE TEAHUPO’O

USA 2008, Video / HD, 35 min
Director: Red Bull
Cast: Greg Long, Raimana Van Bastolaer, Jamie O’Brien

In late 2007, a team of elite big wave surfers tested a new camera system. Their destination: Teahupo’o, Tahiti, one of the heaviest waves known to man. With 10 kilos on their backs, they made repeated attempts to capture spectacular footage in the barrel. If successful, the audience would experience a wave like never before. Were they successful? Four days later, a huge swell hit, and the entire big wave community descended. This is your chance to look inside Teahupoo. Oh ah! Hoohah! See video

Sat 19 Dec, Labia 20h00 (with Dear and Yonder)