LEGENDARY FILMMAKER PUTS BIG WAVES ON THE BIG SCREEN
Bonython, who has been documenting surfing since the 1970s, traversed the planet to interview the world’s most renowned big wave surfers and record the biggest and most death-defying waves for his latest film.
The result charts the radical evolution of big wave surfing during the past decade – and Bonython’s relationship with the sport.
The filmmaker travelled across Australia, Tahiti and to Europe’s new frontier of Nazaré, in Portugal, to film surfers including Jamie Mitchell, Aaron Gold, Mark Healey, Ryan Hipwood and Grant “Twiggy” Baker.
“When these guys surf these waves, they really look out for each other,” Bonython says.
The production visited Shipstern Bluff and Pedra Branca in Tasmania. Bonython first went to Shipstern 10 years ago and has returned numerous times.
“I started seeing these images in surfing magazines and I thought because I really enjoy the genre of big wave surfing ... I’ve really got to go and see this place,” he says
The Big Wave Project also features insights into the specialised surfing genre from Peter Mel, Greg Noll and the late Brock Little.
The shoot coincided with the best swell season in 30 years. “If it’s not over 10ft (waves), I’m not getting out of bed,” Bonython says.
The Big Wave Project screens at Byron Bay Theatre on June 8, Event Cinemas Coolangatta on June 9 and Event Cinemas Pacific Fair on June 11.