🎞 ADVENTURE FILMS: FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE OCEANS
Nothing brings to life the journeys of ocean and mountain people quite like the world of film does. Dive into our favourite picks from recent years. A collection of phenomenal stories ranging from themes of hope and adventure to loss and struggle that have touched the deepest crevices of our hearts.
It is our hope that you take away something special from these films, perhaps even harnessing the lessons learnt into your own lives.
WOMEN UNDERWATER
lESSONS FROM JEJU: FREEDIVING AND MOTHERHOOD WITH KIMI WERNER
BY PATAGONIA FILMS
Not for the weak-lunged, freediving is not only a breathtakingly (pun intended) challenging sport, but also a means of survival for the incredible Haenyeo, best known as the freediving and fishing mothers and grandmothers of Jeju.
Lessons from Jeju follows professional freediver Kimi Werner to the Korean island as she contemplates her impending motherhood and what that means for her career as a professional freediver. She unearths invaluable lessons from the Haenyeo, the resilient sisters of the ocean who have embodied the life of the working mother for centuries.
The documentary provides insight into the hard-earned contributions and lives of the Haenyeo, and explores what motherhood means to a professional athlete. Is it a roadblock, or a path forward?
SAIL AWAY WITH JOHN JOHN FLORENCE
FILM SERIES: VELA
BY PARALLEL SEA
Photo: John John Florence
Native Hawaiian and North Shore resident John John Florence is said to be this generation’s ultimate water person (or so we’d like to think). His impeccable surfing style and humble demeanour has gained him legions of fans (us included!), and has earned him 2 world titles.
Enter the birth of Vela, an artistic 4-part film series that came to being when an injury forced John off the WSL championship tour. Journey with John as he and fellow water humans embark on a month-long open ocean voyage to the Northern Line Islands. Narrated by the man himself, expect beautiful storytelling made possible by stunning cinematography and an even sweeter soundtrack to go along.
THE YOUNGEST PERSON TO SAIL ACROSS THE WORLD solo
BIOPIC: TRUE SPIRIT
BY NETFLIX
Photo: Netflix
True Spirit is based on the true life story of Jessica Watson, the youngest person to sail across the world solo, non-stop and unassisted. Can you imagine performing such a feat at 16? We’d be lying if we said yes. This is not just a story about success, but everything she had to overcome during her journey, braving turbulent seas, violent storms and months of isolation, to eventually get to the finish line.
An awe-inspiring story for all ages alike.
THE LEGENDARY MR. PIPELINE
THE YIN & YANG OF GERRY LOPEZ
BY PATAGONIA FILMS
Even if the household name Gerry Lopez doesn’t ring a bell, we’re sure the name Pipeline will. Discover the curious case of Gerry Lopez, surfing pioneer, King of Pipeline (possibly one of the most famous surfing barrels in the world), and THE guy who created the iconic lightning bolt surf symbol.
From uncovering what used to be untouched waves in Bali, to shaping surfboards that would revolutionise the industry, Gerry Lopez is such an integral part of surf culture that this documentary is simply a no-brainer for anyone interested in surfing and its history.
A CAVE DIVERS PERSPECTIVE: THE THAM LUANG CAVE RESCUE
DOCUMENTARY: THE RESCUE
DIRECTED & PRODUCED BY E. CHAI VASARHELYI AND JIMMY CHIN
Photo: National Geographic
What makes power duo E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s films so compelling is their gift for diving headfirst into the human condition. With The Rescue, we enter the worlds of leisure cave divers (yes they do it for fun) who end up saving 12 boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand.
The film dives beneath the surface almost immediately, giving us an in-depth look into who these mixed-bag of divers are, their interest in diving in absolute claustrophobic and zero-visibility conditions, and the struggle that came with risking their own lives to save the boys.
ON LOSING A FATHER TO THE MOUNTAINS
DOCUMENTARY: TORN
BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER MAX LOWE
Photo: National Geographic
From the lens of a boy who lost his father to an avalanche, to uncovering his body 17 years later.
A heart wrenching look at Max’s father, Alex Lowe, prolific mountaineer, and his constant battle between his insuppressible spirit for adventure and his role and responsibilities as a father. Eventually losing his life to the elements, the film digs deep into the aftermath of such a tragedy for mountaineering families.
STORM WAVE CHASERS
UNDER AN ARCTIC SKY
BY REDBULL
Image: Chris Burkard
Surfing under the northern lights!? Sign. Us. Up. Or in another life perhaps, when it’s way above freezing temperatures. Jokes aside, even if we can’t, we can certainly be in awe of the insane cinematography and landscapes as these radical surfers journey to Iceland in search of never ending waves during the country’s largest storm in 25 years.
THE BOLDEST SOLO ASCENTS IN CLIMBING HISTORY
DOCUMENTARY: THE ALPINIST
PRODUCED BY PETER MORTIMER AND NICK ROSEN
Photo: Sender Films
So raw is his love for solo adventure that Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, with no ropes, straying as far away from any form of media as possible, and performing disappearing acts only until he’s ascended yet another peak.
Gear up to be treated to the boldest solo ascents in history. With no margin for error, you’ll be holding your breath as the free-spirited 23-year-old Canadian, also lauded as the best alpinist the world has seen, defies all odds and possibilities.
