Flashback
Australia / 4 min / Dir: Paul Francis / Experimental / 2007 / World Premiere
Surfing with a psychedelic twist from local surf filmmaker Paul Francis
Sliding Liberia
Liberia / USA / 48 min / Dir: Britton Caillouette / Documentary / 2007 / Australian Premiere
A story of war, peace and surfing as four surfers travel through the war-torn West African nation of Liberia in search of perfect wave. They are forced to realize that Liberia is not a typical surfing destination. With the recent war written in the landscape, the group must face the everyday realities of life in a post-conflict world, where security is never taken for granted. The search for waves becomes a quest for understanding and the surfers record the stories of Liberians they meet along the journey, people like Alfred, who became Liberia's first surfer after finding a bodyboard when fleeing from rebels. At first overwhelmed, they ultimately reconcile the simple pleasure of surfing with the violent history and daily challenges faced by the Liberian people.
Best Surf Nominee.
Taking Back the Waves
South Africa / 76 min / Dir: Nicolaas Hofmeyr / Documentary / 2005 / Australian Premiere
Cass Collier and his family were classified `Coloured’ by South Africa's apartheid system. Cass's father Ahmed fought racial restrictions to take his family to the beach, and teach his children to surf. Young Cass became a strong competitor and Ahmed helped him to go on the world professional surfing tour. He hopes that his son will become a champion, a black champion. When Cass returned to South Africa things were changing rapidly. Apartheid was officially dead and the beaches were open to everyone.
After connecting with Cape Town surfer Ian Armstrong the two grow their hair into dreadlocks and push their limits in big waves. From different backgrounds the two forge a surfing path together, culminating in selection to represent South Africa at the World Big Wave Championships in Mexico in 1999. They emerge victorious, with the World Team title. Ahmed’s wish has come true, his son is a champion, a big wave champion but there is little recognition of their success.
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