Amstel Surfilm Festibal 7

Last Hope stokes Litmus fire at Amstel Surfilm Festibal

Last Hope: Andrew Kidman with Albert Falzon, Jon Frank, Monty Webber, Richard Kenvin, Patrick Trefz and others. Australia-USA, 2009, 80 min.

Sometimes it seems like all surf films fit into finite categories: documentary, travelogue, surfporn, soul surf extravaganza, powersurfing. They’ve come a long way from their origins in the 50s when people started telling stories about goin’ surfing with the help of a camera. One of the milestones in this evolution was “Litmus” in 1995 (Andrew Kidman & Jon Frank).

In “Litmus” we enjoyed seeing surfing on a wide array of boards, in inhospitable places and far from the surfing mainstream. The tone was intimate and the images were testosterone-free, more impressionist than actual surfporn. Anyway, many of us embraced this new take on the art of surfing. However most surfers, and most especially the surf industry establishment, were left cold. Unquestionably “Litmus” was an innovation that inspired many films in the same style, some with more success than others.

Almost 15 years later Andrew Kidman has done it again, this time with the complicity of fellow artists on the same wavelength. Just like “Litmus”, “Last Hope” will need some time to penetrate the thick skin of mainstream surfing- its effects will be felt in the long term. If you’re expecting to find the greatest professional free riders or the finest water shots with the best HD cameras available today, or a never-ending sequence of perfect waves ridden by a bunch of friends on their alaias then you’ll be disappointed.

But what you will find are moments of real surfing, the kind pretty much any of us get to experience: unknown surfers at Windansea; the surrealist vision of Montty Webber and his unrideable waves; Richard Kenvin paying tribute to his Windansea parking lot and flying on his mini-simmons; Patrick Trefz making an impossible surfing short film and being artistic albeit unintentionally.

One of the things that all the pieces share is that the camera is action-shy and focuses –instead- on everything else, on all the circumstantial aspects of surf riding. Like when you look into the sun when paddling back on a beautiful, windless, golden afternoon; or when you admire the beauty of some birds flying over a wave from the top of a cliff. Last Hope manages to explain a dimension in surfing that, so far, had eluded stills and words.

So… does this mean that our “Last Hope” consists in looking the other way? In forgetting the “academic” vision of surfing and simply enjoying the magic experience of riding some waves with some friends? We don’t know; we just hope that this film is not Andrew Kidman’s “Last Hope”, and that he’s going to keep innovating surf film making for a few more years to come.

World Premiere: Thursday 11 June, 20:30h Teatro Principal, Donostia – San Sebastián

www.surfilmfestibal.com

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The annual Waterfront Film Festival, a prestigious independent film event, kicks off Thursday in downtown Saugatuck with an opening-day block party, where a documentary will be shown outdoors at dusk.

The family-friendly “Surfing 50 States” is the real-life story of two Australians’ efforts to surf in every U.S. state. The film had its world premiere in October 2008 in Sydney, Australia.

The viewing is included in the $5 admission to the block party, to be held at the parking lot of the Singapore Yacht Club, 40 Butler St. (Three-day pass-holders get in for free). Live entertainment and food are also on tap for the night’s festivities.

In addition, more than 30 films will be screened during the remaining days of the festival, which are from Friday through Sunday, and tickets are required. For a complete listing of films, screening locations and ticket information, visit www.waterfrontfilm.org or call (269) 857-8351.

Seminars will also be held.

Among the stars expected to attend this year’s fest are Daryl Hannah and Western Michigan University graduate actor/comedian Skyler Stone (“Comedy Central”), both of whom are promoting new films.

Stone is pumping “Bed Ridden,” a 25-minute comedy about addiction based on a true story, which will be shown twice. Show times are 7 p.m. Saturday at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St., and 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Hall, on Mason Street off Butler, as part of the Comedic Shorts Program.

“Fierce Light,” a documentary about spiritual activism in which Hannah, Bishop Desmond Tutu and others are interviewed, is one of the Gala Films highlighted at 7 p.m. Friday at Saugatuck Yacht Services. It repeats at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the same site.

Andrew Kidman chose six of his favorite surfing filmmakers to create short films that were inspired by the sea. The filmmakers include Albert Falzon (Morning Of The Earth), Jon Frank (Litmus), Monty Webber, Michelle Lockwood (Kids) and American underground surf filmmakers Patrick Trefz (Thread) and Richard Kenvin (Hydrodynamica). Kidman also provides four special cuts of his own.

The filmmakers created their short films to music selected by Aaron Curnow from some of the greatest independent contemporary artists; Smog, Sufjan Stevens, Mogwai, My Morning Jacket, Dirty Three, Holly Throsby, Vetiver, Bonnie Prince Billy , The Brown Birds From Windy Hill and Machine Translations.

The quality of songs by these recording artists combined with the infinite beauty of the sea is something breathtaking, to say the least. Add to this the unique style of each filmmaker, their stories brought to life with these wonderful songs, and the result is at times emotional, sometimes harrowing, often funny and heartfelt, but always incredibly thoughtful.

The viewer is left stunned by the vastness of the ocean and the depth of emotion in the music. Says Kidman: “One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a filmmaker is the process of bringing scenes, emotions and stories to life with music. It’s kind of a filmmakers dream to have access to great music and the freedom to make whatever you want without the constraints of trying to make a full length feature or editors wreaking havoc with your work.

This is what I was thinking about when Aaron Curnow and I first had a conversation about this project. I thought something special could come from just letting the filmmakers make what ever they wanted. I hope the project has kept a pure line and that these original thoughts transcend in the viewing”

Last Hope is a film for anyone with a love for the ocean. With the film’s collage approach, mixed with the quiet musical stylings, it presents a side of the life that is often forgotten in these modern times.

Initially the Last Hope DVD is being released with a bonus CD of the films soundtrack. Plus a 24 page booklet with thoughts, interviews and images from the filmmakers in some damn fancy one off packaging.

Andrew Kidman is taking the film on the road this July and his band Brown Birds From Windy Hill will be providing a live score for the film at each show. Special guests (including Machine Translations) will also be appearing along the way.

Tickets for all shows available from oztix.com.au (unless otherwise stated) from tomorrow.

‘Last Hope’ JULY TOUR

• July 2nd Noosa Bowls, Noosa Heads
• July 3rd Old Museum, Brisbane
• July 4th Byron Community Centre, Byron
• July 10th Neverland Bar, Coolangatta
• July 12th Mullumbimby RSL, Mullumbimby
• July 16th Waverly Bowling Club, Bondi
• July 17th Palm Beach RSL, Palm Beach
• July 18th Manly Boat Shed, Manly
• July 19th Heritage Hotel, Wollongong (Tickets from venue)
• July 20th Brass Monkey, Cronulla (Tickets from venue)
• July 21st Royal Exchange, Newcastle

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