Step Into Liquid

"Step Into Liquid" is a documentary on surfing - I rented it on the off-chance it might be interesting. It opens with some of the most beautiful film images I've ever seen.

The terse notation scrolls across the screen that the film contains no special effects (as I gasp at a surfer navagating a vast transluscent mountain of water,) no stunt men, no actors....

What it does contain is just about everything to do with surfing, from the classic, as here, to the totally unexpected: surfing in Ireland, in Michigan, in Texas - using all the waves there are, including the steady wake following a great oil tanker in the Gulf of Mexico.

Given such variety, not all the images are of sunny beaches and huge waves, or of strong male bodies. In addition, there are gray stormy days, rocky beaches, murky brown water, surfed by all sorts - men with pot bellies, groups of excited kids, and women.

The great women surfers get their own section - as they deserve - and give their own distinct view of surfing. Pictured below is Keala Kennelly.

There are a couple of slightly pretentious moments, but that's far less than I expected. In fact, this film really surprised and delighted me - it has the explosive beauty and joy of July 4th fireworks, and the comfortable simplicity of a family picnic. It is so rich that it seems longer than it's eighty-eight minutes without ever being boring. If you want to see more about it you can go to the official website.