FILM:
Archy
Directed by Hawaii-based surfer and filmmaker Bill Ballard and narrated by singer-songwriter and spoken word artist Henry Rollins, ARCHY tells the story of one of the most innovative and legendary surfers of all times: Matt Archbold. With a career spanning three decades, ARCHY set the standard for aerial surfing, becoming a cult figure within the international surf scene. A native of San Clemente, California, ARCHY started surfing when he was eleven years old, turned pro at the age of fifteen, and then abandoned his professional surfing career in favor of free surfing in early 1990s. Not only does ARCHY recount for the first time the remarkable surfing career of Matt Archbold, it also showcases high performance surfers in action through the lens of a vast array of precious archival footage from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. -Lucia Ricciardelli
FILM:
Everest: A Climb for Peace
The Everest Peace Project brought together nine “peace climbers” from different faiths and cultures and gave them one common goal – to climb Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. Narrated by Orlando Bloom, this inspirational documentary follows the diverse group as they overcome their differences to take on a challenge that puts all their lives at risk. Included in the team are two Israelis and a Palestinian, who seek to set an example by making the first joint Israeli-Palestinian climb. Sparks sometimes fly as they discuss their opposing views, but tolerance and teamwork prevail. Hailed by the Dalai Lama as a “tremendous achievement,” EVEREST: A CLIMB FOR PEACE captures the power of the human spirit and proves that a difficult task can be made simple by taking a first step. - Christy Zwicke
FILM:
Havana Surf
US PREMIERE HAVANA SURF, shot on location in Cuba, tells the story of six young Cuban surfers and legendary Australian surfer, Bob Samin, who has made his home in Baracoa, Cuba. At the time of filming, surfing is relatively new to the island, as is independent travel. The surfers—five men and one woman—bring us inside their lives and their homes while displaying their inventiveness as they make their own surf boards, leashes and wax out of any useful junk they manage to find. Regarded with suspicion by the Cuban police, these intrepid surfers remain undaunted as they travel the island nation searching for the best surf spots. Ultimately arriving in Guantánamo, the surfers encounter Samin, visit his hidden surf spots, meet his friends and share his dreams of starting a surf school for Cubans. Through the story of these surfers, HAVANA SURF takes you on a fantastic road trip of discovery. -Nanci Herbst Screening with: SANZA HANZA and THE SURF MAGAZINES DON'T TALK ABOUT LAPSED CATHOLICS
FILM:
Life as a Movie
Although surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding are all sports that require balancing on a board and popping off its tail when jumping and spinning, there are substantial technical differences among them. In LIFE AS A MOVIE, pro surfer Benji Weatherley investigates the ways in which these action sports diverge. He organizes a series of trips around the world with other pros from the contemporary skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing scene so they can experience one other's sport firsthand. LIFE AS A MOVIE features some of the world's leading names in action sports, from Chad Bartie, Jake Burton, Tom Carroll, Shane Dorian, Dave Downing, and Tony Hawk, to Yadin Nicol, Rizal Tanjung, Kalani Robb, Kelly Slater, Tosh Townend, J.P. Walker and Ross Williams. Even surfer-musician Jack Johnson joins the troop, showcasing his exceptional athletic abilities. In performing activities that have a high level of inherent danger, these athletes have helped transform traditional perceptions of sport. -Lucia Ricciardelli
FILM:
One Track Mind
WORLD PREMIERE One Track Mind is the latest 16mm movie from the creative collaborative Woodshed Films. Directed by Chris Malloy, One Track Mind explores the common thread that drives the most influential surfers from three generations to push wave riding to new dimensions. Experience the unique opportunity to sit up close and personal with the most prolific surfers of our time as they share the secrets that gave them inspirational and technical elements to be the best the world has ever seen.
FILM:
Skateboard Stories
WORLD PREMIERE SKATEBOARD STORIES is a series of films focused on the skateboarding lifestyle, from skate bums and groms to street shredders and today's professionals; from Mike Pugh, the homeless skater living under a palm tree, to backyard pool rippers and little kids who never leave the skate park to go to school; from skate rock and hip-hop to skateboard art. There's more to skateboarding than meets the eye. It's more than a sport. It's more than an art. It's skateboarding. It's a lifestyle.
FILM:
Truth in 24
TRUTH in 24 chronicles a world class Le Mans racing team, Audi Sport, and their quest to capture a fifth straight 24 Hours of Le Mans victory. The 2008 race proved to be a hard-fought battle between Audi Sport and the local favorite, Team Peugeot of France. The film takes us inside the high-tech genius of engineers and drivers as they set out to make auto racing history. An energetic, edge-of-your-seat look at the action behind the scenes of this glamorous and world famous event, TRUTH IN 24 is both a dramatic and emotional story. -Nanci Herbst
FILM:
Water Man
A character study in surfing, WATER MAN follows a raft of world-renowned surfers—Laird Hamilton, Gerry Lopez, Rob Machado, Dave Kalama and the Malloy brothers—as they chase waves together in Indonesia. A satisfying travelogue alternating interviews with artful visual sequences set to music, this is a relaxing, gecko-on-the-wall peek at these prime athletes. What's especially inspiring to witness is the respectful, even reverent, rapport between them. Seeing surf legends try out Hamilton's hydrofoil invention for the first time is well worth the price of admission, and there's plenty of variety: body surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and tow surfing are also featured, as well as just plain old catchin' a wave. John Cusack's narration adds to the easygoing vibe, and the music keeps the mood lively. -Justine Sutton Screening with: ONE TRACK MIND
FILM:
Waveriders
US PREMIERE Known for its whiskey, music and racehorses, for years Ireland has also been producing sizable waves and has developed a respectable surf culture. Using interviews, archival footage and photos, WAVERIDERS celebrates the Irish contribution to surfing, not the least of which was George Freeth, the Hawaiian-born son of an Irish father. Freeth, who is also considered to be the world's first lifeguard, revitalized the sport of surfing in the early 1900s, coaching the legendary Duke Kahanamoku. Following Freeth's story, WAVERIDERS travels from Hawaii to California and back to Ireland. Filmed in color, the landscapes and seascapes of Ireland are hauntingly beautiful and rugged. The eclectic soundtrack adds a further dimension to this gem of a film. Surf legend Kelly Slater sums it up when he calls Ireland “a cold paradise.”
FILM:
The Women and the Waves
WORLD PREMIERE THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES is a documentary surf film that explores the lives of female surfers who, through the decades, have chosen to paddle headfirst into the male-dominated sport of surfing and find a place of their own. Surfer girls, women who surf, women who don't, female athletes, and the men who love them gain insight into what it's like to "surf like a girl." This inspiring film, featuring generations of women surfers, reveals how surfing as sport has transcended into a passion so strong it is the dominant force in these women's lives.
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