A smart group of surfers reveal the sewage-grade misogyny prevalent in the sport in the 80s and 90s
Surfing trades on its spirit of barefoot outsider cool. So it’s doubly depressing to discover that sewage-grade misogyny stank out the sport for decades. This documentary is the untold story of female professional surfers in the 80s and 90s. They were paid less than the men and struggled to get sponsorship. Their sport treated women like second-class athletes: competition organisers saved the best waves for the boys, often scheduling women’s heats during the lunch break. Not to mention the chauvinist-pig arrogance of many male surfers, who saw themselves as bronzed gods – and the role of women to worship at their feet.
Needless to say, Girls Can’t Surf has its fair share blood-boiling moments. But it’s still an enormously enjoyable adrenaline rush of a film. The director is Christopher Nelius,...
Surfing trades on its spirit of barefoot outsider cool. So it’s doubly depressing to discover that sewage-grade misogyny stank out the sport for decades. This documentary is the untold story of female professional surfers in the 80s and 90s. They were paid less than the men and struggled to get sponsorship. Their sport treated women like second-class athletes: competition organisers saved the best waves for the boys, often scheduling women’s heats during the lunch break. Not to mention the chauvinist-pig arrogance of many male surfers, who saw themselves as bronzed gods – and the role of women to worship at their feet.
Needless to say, Girls Can’t Surf has its fair share blood-boiling moments. But it’s still an enormously enjoyable adrenaline rush of a film. The director is Christopher Nelius,...
- 8/17/2022
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
"You just wanted to become the best at what we did." Gravitas Ventures has revealed an official trailer for a documentary film titled Girls Can't Surf, the latest doc creation from surfer filmmaker Christopher Nelius (also of Storm Surfers 3D). This isn't the first doc on women in surfing - we've posted a few more including She Is the Ocean. This one goes back a bit further - it's the 1980s and the world of professional surfing is a circus of fluoro colours, peroxide hair and radical male egos. Girls Can't Surf follows the journey of a band of renegade surfers who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world to achieve equality and change the sport forever. Featuring surfers Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley, and more. We also featured a trailer for the Australian release of this back in 2020, but it's...
- 3/31/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Six films are set to vie for this year’s Aacta Award for Best Documentary, with voting for the winner open from today until August 2.
For consideration are Christopher Nelius’ Girls Can’t Surf, the highest grossing feature doc of the year so far; Sally Aitken’s Sundance-selected Playing With Sharks, and Molly Reynold’s My Name Is Gulpilil, a portrait of one of Australia’s leading actors, David Gulpilil.
They will compete against Matthew Walker’s I’m Wanita, about to premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival following a HotDocs bow; Tosca Looby’s examination of the attacks that faced Julia Gillard in office, Strong Female Lead; and Jane Castle’s portrait of her mother, filmmaker Lilias Fraser, When The Camera Stopped Rolling.
‘Strong Female Lead’.
As If has reported, Aacta has adjusted its voting framework this year, with rounds per category staggered throughout the year.
The Best Documentary...
For consideration are Christopher Nelius’ Girls Can’t Surf, the highest grossing feature doc of the year so far; Sally Aitken’s Sundance-selected Playing With Sharks, and Molly Reynold’s My Name Is Gulpilil, a portrait of one of Australia’s leading actors, David Gulpilil.
They will compete against Matthew Walker’s I’m Wanita, about to premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival following a HotDocs bow; Tosca Looby’s examination of the attacks that faced Julia Gillard in office, Strong Female Lead; and Jane Castle’s portrait of her mother, filmmaker Lilias Fraser, When The Camera Stopped Rolling.
‘Strong Female Lead’.
As If has reported, Aacta has adjusted its voting framework this year, with rounds per category staggered throughout the year.
The Best Documentary...
- 7/26/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
While Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon could hardly be accused of setting the box office on fire, the animated film held over the weekend and easily outstripped the competition.
Indeed, the box office office rankings look little different than last week, as new releases Cosmic Sin, Then Came You, Judas and the Black Messiah did middling numbers.
Overall, the top 20 films made $5 million, or 13 per down on the previous, with the box office sluggish ahead of new releases such as Godzilla Vs. Kong and Peter Rabbit 2 later this month.
Local feature doc Girls Can’t Surf, from Madman, bowed shy of the top 10 on $103,818 from 113 screens, taking it to a respectable $344,961 with previews.
Directed by Christopher Nelius, the film tells the story of how a “ragtag bunch of inspired, punk girls” took on the male-dominated sport of professional surfing in order to achieve equality. Featured are surfing greats Jodie Cooper,...
Indeed, the box office office rankings look little different than last week, as new releases Cosmic Sin, Then Came You, Judas and the Black Messiah did middling numbers.
Overall, the top 20 films made $5 million, or 13 per down on the previous, with the box office sluggish ahead of new releases such as Godzilla Vs. Kong and Peter Rabbit 2 later this month.
Local feature doc Girls Can’t Surf, from Madman, bowed shy of the top 10 on $103,818 from 113 screens, taking it to a respectable $344,961 with previews.
Directed by Christopher Nelius, the film tells the story of how a “ragtag bunch of inspired, punk girls” took on the male-dominated sport of professional surfing in order to achieve equality. Featured are surfing greats Jodie Cooper,...
- 3/15/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
If has 10 double passes to give away to feature documentary Girl’s Can’t Surf, courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
Directed by Christopher Nelius, the film follows a group of rebellious female surfers in the 1980s who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world in a fight for inclusion, recognition and equality.
It features surfing greats Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley and more.
Girl’s Can’t Surf is in cinemas March 11.
To go into the pool to win, email jkeast@if.com.au with your name and postal address. Winners will be selected from a random draw, closing March 5.
The post Win a double pass to ‘Girl’s Can’t Surf’ appeared first on If Magazine.
Directed by Christopher Nelius, the film follows a group of rebellious female surfers in the 1980s who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world in a fight for inclusion, recognition and equality.
It features surfing greats Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley and more.
Girl’s Can’t Surf is in cinemas March 11.
To go into the pool to win, email jkeast@if.com.au with your name and postal address. Winners will be selected from a random draw, closing March 5.
The post Win a double pass to ‘Girl’s Can’t Surf’ appeared first on If Magazine.
- 3/1/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
"That's where we had to take a stand." Madman Films in Australia has debuted the first official trailer for Girls Can't Surf (also known as The Side Show), a fantastic surfing documentary from filmmaker / surfer Christopher Nelius (Storm Surfers 3D). It's the 1980s and the world of professional surfing is a circus of fluro colours, peroxide hair and radical male egos. Girls Can't Surf follows the journey of a band of renegade surfer girls who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world to achieve equality and change the sport forever. Featuring surfing greats Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley and others. The untold story of how a band of renegade surfer girls in the 1980s fought to create their own professional sport, changing surf culture forever; with each woman fighting against the odds to make their dreams of competing a reality. This looks totally rad!
- 12/6/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
In feature documentary Girls Can’t Surf, director Christopher Nelius tells the story of how a “ragtag bunch of inspired, punk girls” who took on the male-dominated sport of professional surfing in order to achieve equality.
Madman Entertainment will release the film, featuring surfing greats Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley, in cinemas March 2021.
Perth Arts Festival will host the Australian premiere January 11, followed by Sydney Film Festival’s summer season January 17 and Westpac OpenAir January 31.
Girls Can’t Surf is produced by Michaela Perske, and co-written by Nelius and Julie-Anne De Ruvo.
The post ‘Girls Can’t Surf’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
Madman Entertainment will release the film, featuring surfing greats Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley, in cinemas March 2021.
Perth Arts Festival will host the Australian premiere January 11, followed by Sydney Film Festival’s summer season January 17 and Westpac OpenAir January 31.
Girls Can’t Surf is produced by Michaela Perske, and co-written by Nelius and Julie-Anne De Ruvo.
The post ‘Girls Can’t Surf’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 12/2/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Ben O’Toole in ‘Bloody Hell’ (Photo credit: Daniel Berghofer).
The virtual Cannes Film Market is underway with a raft of titles driven by Australian talent being pitched to buyers either as pre-sales or completed films.
The slate includes Daina Reid’s Run Rabbit Run, Frances O’Connor’s directing debut Emily, Alister Grierson’s Bloody Hell, Christopher Nelius’ feature doc Girls Can’t Surf and Justin McMillan’s Sweet River.
In addition, Hanway is looking to sell worldwide rights to Kim Mordaunt’s Wildlands, a thriller to be shot in Africa starring Matthias Schoenaerts as Richard Thomas, a jaded bomb disposal expert.
The script by Mordaunt and John Collee is based on the director’s experiences in the bomb disposal world in Asia and Africa. After being dismissed from Un forces following a failed mission in Afghanistan, Thomas gets a final shot at redemption when he’s sent to Angola, one...
The virtual Cannes Film Market is underway with a raft of titles driven by Australian talent being pitched to buyers either as pre-sales or completed films.
The slate includes Daina Reid’s Run Rabbit Run, Frances O’Connor’s directing debut Emily, Alister Grierson’s Bloody Hell, Christopher Nelius’ feature doc Girls Can’t Surf and Justin McMillan’s Sweet River.
In addition, Hanway is looking to sell worldwide rights to Kim Mordaunt’s Wildlands, a thriller to be shot in Africa starring Matthias Schoenaerts as Richard Thomas, a jaded bomb disposal expert.
The script by Mordaunt and John Collee is based on the director’s experiences in the bomb disposal world in Asia and Africa. After being dismissed from Un forces following a failed mission in Afghanistan, Thomas gets a final shot at redemption when he’s sent to Angola, one...
- 6/22/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Film Constellation has boarded sales on Girls Can’t Surf, a feature doc from Christopher Nelius.
Set during the 1980s in the world of professional surfing, it tracks a band of renegade female surfers who took on the male-dominated sport to achieve equality.
Surf greats featuring include Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, and Layne Beachley.
Director Nelius co-wrote the pic with Anne De Ruvo. It is produced by Michaela Perske of Pursekey Productions with Nelius. Executive producers are Chef’s Table, Rob Galluzzo and Michael Hilliard of Finch, and Paul Wiegard of Madman Entertainment with Ghislaine Couvillat from Whipped Sea acting as a co-producer.
The film was developed and financed by Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and is being distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment.
“Now a billion-dollar global sport that has spread to all shores of the world,...
Set during the 1980s in the world of professional surfing, it tracks a band of renegade female surfers who took on the male-dominated sport to achieve equality.
Surf greats featuring include Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, and Layne Beachley.
Director Nelius co-wrote the pic with Anne De Ruvo. It is produced by Michaela Perske of Pursekey Productions with Nelius. Executive producers are Chef’s Table, Rob Galluzzo and Michael Hilliard of Finch, and Paul Wiegard of Madman Entertainment with Ghislaine Couvillat from Whipped Sea acting as a co-producer.
The film was developed and financed by Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and is being distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment.
“Now a billion-dollar global sport that has spread to all shores of the world,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
While Stephanie Gilmore’s high school friends stressed over choosing college majors, the New South Wales, Australia native faced her own future with uncommon certainty. “I remember just having a really strong feeling that surfing, and professional surfing, was what I was going to do for the rest of my life,” she recalls in Rolling Stone’s “The First Time” video.
Seven World Titles later, there is no disputing that Gilmore, now 31, proved her teenage-self correct. Gilmore has dominated the sport since her arrival on the scene. She even claimed...
Seven World Titles later, there is no disputing that Gilmore, now 31, proved her teenage-self correct. Gilmore has dominated the sport since her arrival on the scene. She even claimed...
- 9/9/2019
- by Natalli Amato
- Rollingstone.com
Seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley will present a new series about the police who work the Northern Beaches.
Beachley will narrate Seven.s new "factual series", Beach Cops, which follows the police men and women who operate along Sydney.s Northern Beaches..
From driving offences to missing persons to drugs, see how the officers respond to the dangerous, tragic and often funny situations that are part of their everyday lives.
Beachley grew up perfecting her craft at Manly Beach and remains a proud Northern Beaches resident.
Beachley said, having grown up in the area, she had seen it all.
.But Beach Cops has given me a healthy perspective on just how hard the police work to keep the community safe..
Beach Cops premieres in October on Seven. The series is produced in-house by Seven Productions. Lyndal Marks is Executive Producer..
Beachley will narrate Seven.s new "factual series", Beach Cops, which follows the police men and women who operate along Sydney.s Northern Beaches..
From driving offences to missing persons to drugs, see how the officers respond to the dangerous, tragic and often funny situations that are part of their everyday lives.
Beachley grew up perfecting her craft at Manly Beach and remains a proud Northern Beaches resident.
Beachley said, having grown up in the area, she had seen it all.
.But Beach Cops has given me a healthy perspective on just how hard the police work to keep the community safe..
Beach Cops premieres in October on Seven. The series is produced in-house by Seven Productions. Lyndal Marks is Executive Producer..
- 9/28/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marked their final night in Australia on Thursday with a cocktail party at the home of their host, who put their visit in historical perspective. Australia's governor-general, Sir Peter Cosgrove, likened the trip to a similar tour Down Under taken in 1927 by William's great-grandfather, the Duke of York - later King George VI - and his wife. "Accounts of their visit note the deafening cheers of the crowds, the fervent and spontaneous greetings of those they met, and the Duchess won hearts from the start - all words that could describe the last couple of weeks,...
- 4/24/2014
- by Simon Perry
- PEOPLE.com
InStyle Magazine has announced the nominees for its Women of Style Awards with actresses Rose Byrne and Asher Keddie and TV presenter, and singer Natalie Imbruglia up for the award.
The announcement:
Monday 12th March, 2012: InStyle and Audi have announced the nominees for the prestigious annual InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards. Nominees in the News and Entertainment category are: Rose Byrne, Actress; Asher Keddie, Actress; and Natalie Imbruglia, TV Presenter and Singer.
The InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards honour Australia’s most inspirational and innovative women, be they in an artistic, business, lifestyle or community-related field.
“These women are true pioneers within their field, and we look forward to sharing their inspirational achievements with our readers in 2012,” Kerrie McCallum, Editor, InStyle said.
2012 InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards nominees – News and Entertainment category:
Rose Byrne, Actress: Since making her acting debut aged eight with...
The announcement:
Monday 12th March, 2012: InStyle and Audi have announced the nominees for the prestigious annual InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards. Nominees in the News and Entertainment category are: Rose Byrne, Actress; Asher Keddie, Actress; and Natalie Imbruglia, TV Presenter and Singer.
The InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards honour Australia’s most inspirational and innovative women, be they in an artistic, business, lifestyle or community-related field.
“These women are true pioneers within their field, and we look forward to sharing their inspirational achievements with our readers in 2012,” Kerrie McCallum, Editor, InStyle said.
2012 InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards nominees – News and Entertainment category:
Rose Byrne, Actress: Since making her acting debut aged eight with...
- 3/12/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Surfs up, dude! Zac Efron was among the celebrities paying attention to some tasty waves on a recent trip to Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Zac joined forces with sunglasses manufacturer Oakley who reportedly paid him $200,000 to participate in their promotion of Learn to Ride, which raises money for One Sight Foundation. One Sight is a family of charitable vision care programs dedicated to improving vision for those in need worldwide. Decked out in bright red Oakley surf-wear and an ultra-bright smile, Zac spent a few minutes in the water at Bondi Beach, and even offered up a surf lesson to a fan. The 22 year old High School Musical (2006) star also had a little help from Australian surf champions Layne Beachlety and Tom Whitaker. The crowds came out in full force for the event, as did the high winds, which made it difficult to brave the waves. That didn't stop...
- 2/23/2010
- by jmaurer@corp.popstar.com (Jennifer Maurer)
- PopStar
Making the most of their time down under, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were spotted out and about in Sydney Australia today (February 16).
The “High School Musical” costars looked to be having a great afternoon, grabbing some grub at North Bondi Italian.
According to an eyewitness, Zac and Vanessa shared plenty of affection for one another, and also stopped to sign autographs and pose for photos with their fans.
Earlier in the day, Zac took to the sea with Australian champion surfer Layne Beachley down at Bondi Beach.
The “High School Musical” costars looked to be having a great afternoon, grabbing some grub at North Bondi Italian.
According to an eyewitness, Zac and Vanessa shared plenty of affection for one another, and also stopped to sign autographs and pose for photos with their fans.
Earlier in the day, Zac took to the sea with Australian champion surfer Layne Beachley down at Bondi Beach.
- 2/16/2010
- GossipCenter
Hollywood heart-throb Zac Efron made waves in Australia on Tuesday after hundreds of screaming fans invaded a Sydney beach to watch the star's surfing lesson.
The High School Musical actor joined Australian surf champions Layne Beachley and Tom Whitaker for a lesson at the city's famous Bondi beach as part of a charity event.
But the Oakley’s Learn to Ride surf session, in aid of the OneSight Foundation, was disrupted by legions of Efron's teenage fans, who took to the sands to glimpse their idol.
Security teams erected metal barriers around the beach in a bid to hold back the swelling crowd, but the fans burst through and surged onto the sand as a dozen bodyguards attempted to shield the star from the attentions, according to News.com.au.
But despite the security fears, Efron still enjoyed 30 minutes in the water with the surf pros.
The High School Musical actor joined Australian surf champions Layne Beachley and Tom Whitaker for a lesson at the city's famous Bondi beach as part of a charity event.
But the Oakley’s Learn to Ride surf session, in aid of the OneSight Foundation, was disrupted by legions of Efron's teenage fans, who took to the sands to glimpse their idol.
Security teams erected metal barriers around the beach in a bid to hold back the swelling crowd, but the fans burst through and surged onto the sand as a dozen bodyguards attempted to shield the star from the attentions, according to News.com.au.
But despite the security fears, Efron still enjoyed 30 minutes in the water with the surf pros.
- 2/16/2010
- WENN
Layne Beachley has said that she believes an "omen" brought her lost engagement ring back to her. The retired Aussie surfer, who is due to marry Inxs rocker Kirk Pengilly, lost her 1.35 carat ring while swimming in Sydney Harbour. Beachley told The Daily Telegraph: "I was training with the Manly Police squad and we were pretty much just throwing balls around in the water, but by the end of the day I realised it was gone." The 37-year-old then enlisted divers (more)...
- 1/25/2010
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
With the sun setting on an older generation of women surfers, underscored by the recent retirement of seven-time world champ Layne Beachley, 37, the next tide of young women is ready to rise. Some of these female surfing prodigies came together in Crystal Cove State Park, in Newport Coast, California, to be photographed by iconic surf photographer Michael Halsband for Vanity Fair’s July issue. Ranging in age from 14 to 26, these women are no “Girl-Midgets” on the beach; just ask the bros who got snaked.
- 6/8/2009
- Vanity Fair
Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe will head an advertising campaign for Sydney in the U.S. - after he was named as an ambassador for the Australian city. The Gladiator star - who was born in New Zealand - will feature in promotional campaigns to promote Sydney to the American market and increase visitors from the U.S. As well as Oscar-winning Crowe, other ambassadors who will appear in the promos include billionaire businessman Peter Holmes a Court and world-surfing champion Layne Beachley - both native Australians. Morris Lemma, premier of Sydney's state New South Wales, says, "They are international heavyweights who can influence people from industry, business, entertainment and sport. Their public support of Sydney will encourage people to visit and invest in business, tourism, the arts, sport and education. The Sydney ambassadors will be part of a promotional campaign that will appear in the U.S. later this year."...
- 1/29/2008
- WENN
Arenaplex
NEW YORK -- Armchair athletes (you know who you are) and surfing enthusiasts will no doubt be the most receptive audiences for this documentary about the world of extreme surfing, which has the unfortunate timing to arrive on theater screens not too long after this summer's well-received "Step Into Liquid". While "Billabong Odyssey" ultimately resembles an infomercial more than a coherent cinematic exercise, its spectacular images of well-toned athletes battling with the world's largest waves should find a receptive audience of those so inclined. Tellingly, the film opened Friday in 17 theaters in Southern California and on a single screen in Manhattan.
Shot in both 35mm film and high-definition video, Phillip Boston's docu opens in spectacular fashion, with a stunning shot of Surfer Mike Parsons dwarfed by a 70-foot-high wave. A succession of similarly breathtaking images follow, though they are interrupted too frequently by dry, public television-style explications of wave formations, high-tech weather forecasting, etc.
Filmed in various far-flung locations including California, Washington, Mexico, Hawaii, Spain, France, Australia, Tahiti and the legendary open-ocean waves of the Cortes Bank 100 Miles West of San Diego, the film documents the Billabong Odyssey project, created to expand the boundaries of surfing by conquering waves 70 feet and beyond.
Profiled are a colorful array of extreme surfing stars as well as such renowned figures as tow-surfing pioneer Ken Bradshaw, female surfer Layne Beachley and hydrofoil surfboard expert Rush Randle.
"Billabong", like most films of its ilk, eventually suffers from its accumulation of admittedly spectacular but repetitive images and would probably benefit from both extensive trimming and projection on a large-format screen. And the weak attempts at both narrative cohesion and character development are largely ineffective.
But none of this will matter to those who get stoked at the prospect of finding the perfect wave.
NEW YORK -- Armchair athletes (you know who you are) and surfing enthusiasts will no doubt be the most receptive audiences for this documentary about the world of extreme surfing, which has the unfortunate timing to arrive on theater screens not too long after this summer's well-received "Step Into Liquid". While "Billabong Odyssey" ultimately resembles an infomercial more than a coherent cinematic exercise, its spectacular images of well-toned athletes battling with the world's largest waves should find a receptive audience of those so inclined. Tellingly, the film opened Friday in 17 theaters in Southern California and on a single screen in Manhattan.
Shot in both 35mm film and high-definition video, Phillip Boston's docu opens in spectacular fashion, with a stunning shot of Surfer Mike Parsons dwarfed by a 70-foot-high wave. A succession of similarly breathtaking images follow, though they are interrupted too frequently by dry, public television-style explications of wave formations, high-tech weather forecasting, etc.
Filmed in various far-flung locations including California, Washington, Mexico, Hawaii, Spain, France, Australia, Tahiti and the legendary open-ocean waves of the Cortes Bank 100 Miles West of San Diego, the film documents the Billabong Odyssey project, created to expand the boundaries of surfing by conquering waves 70 feet and beyond.
Profiled are a colorful array of extreme surfing stars as well as such renowned figures as tow-surfing pioneer Ken Bradshaw, female surfer Layne Beachley and hydrofoil surfboard expert Rush Randle.
"Billabong", like most films of its ilk, eventually suffers from its accumulation of admittedly spectacular but repetitive images and would probably benefit from both extensive trimming and projection on a large-format screen. And the weak attempts at both narrative cohesion and character development are largely ineffective.
But none of this will matter to those who get stoked at the prospect of finding the perfect wave.
Arenaplex
NEW YORK -- Armchair athletes (you know who you are) and surfing enthusiasts will no doubt be the most receptive audiences for this documentary about the world of extreme surfing, which has the unfortunate timing to arrive on theater screens not too long after this summer's well-received "Step Into Liquid". While "Billabong Odyssey" ultimately resembles an infomercial more than a coherent cinematic exercise, its spectacular images of well-toned athletes battling with the world's largest waves should find a receptive audience of those so inclined. Tellingly, the film opened Friday in 17 theaters in Southern California and on a single screen in Manhattan.
Shot in both 35mm film and high-definition video, Phillip Boston's docu opens in spectacular fashion, with a stunning shot of Surfer Mike Parsons dwarfed by a 70-foot-high wave. A succession of similarly breathtaking images follow, though they are interrupted too frequently by dry, public television-style explications of wave formations, high-tech weather forecasting, etc.
Filmed in various far-flung locations including California, Washington, Mexico, Hawaii, Spain, France, Australia, Tahiti and the legendary open-ocean waves of the Cortes Bank 100 Miles West of San Diego, the film documents the Billabong Odyssey project, created to expand the boundaries of surfing by conquering waves 70 feet and beyond.
Profiled are a colorful array of extreme surfing stars as well as such renowned figures as tow-surfing pioneer Ken Bradshaw, female surfer Layne Beachley and hydrofoil surfboard expert Rush Randle.
"Billabong", like most films of its ilk, eventually suffers from its accumulation of admittedly spectacular but repetitive images and would probably benefit from both extensive trimming and projection on a large-format screen. And the weak attempts at both narrative cohesion and character development are largely ineffective.
But none of this will matter to those who get stoked at the prospect of finding the perfect wave.
NEW YORK -- Armchair athletes (you know who you are) and surfing enthusiasts will no doubt be the most receptive audiences for this documentary about the world of extreme surfing, which has the unfortunate timing to arrive on theater screens not too long after this summer's well-received "Step Into Liquid". While "Billabong Odyssey" ultimately resembles an infomercial more than a coherent cinematic exercise, its spectacular images of well-toned athletes battling with the world's largest waves should find a receptive audience of those so inclined. Tellingly, the film opened Friday in 17 theaters in Southern California and on a single screen in Manhattan.
Shot in both 35mm film and high-definition video, Phillip Boston's docu opens in spectacular fashion, with a stunning shot of Surfer Mike Parsons dwarfed by a 70-foot-high wave. A succession of similarly breathtaking images follow, though they are interrupted too frequently by dry, public television-style explications of wave formations, high-tech weather forecasting, etc.
Filmed in various far-flung locations including California, Washington, Mexico, Hawaii, Spain, France, Australia, Tahiti and the legendary open-ocean waves of the Cortes Bank 100 Miles West of San Diego, the film documents the Billabong Odyssey project, created to expand the boundaries of surfing by conquering waves 70 feet and beyond.
Profiled are a colorful array of extreme surfing stars as well as such renowned figures as tow-surfing pioneer Ken Bradshaw, female surfer Layne Beachley and hydrofoil surfboard expert Rush Randle.
"Billabong", like most films of its ilk, eventually suffers from its accumulation of admittedly spectacular but repetitive images and would probably benefit from both extensive trimming and projection on a large-format screen. And the weak attempts at both narrative cohesion and character development are largely ineffective.
But none of this will matter to those who get stoked at the prospect of finding the perfect wave.
- 11/10/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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