Film / Surfing
Exploring surf culture through the lens with Bristol Surf Cinema
A new initiative merging surfing and filmmaking will be hosting its first event that looks to showcase surf culture.
Bristol Surf Cinema, led by Theo Cockrean, will be showing three surf centred movies at the Bristol Megascreen on April 29.
The screening will be the UK premiere of Surf On, Europe! The film has been described as a powerful political and social documentary by Vey Vey Films.
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The event is also showcasing two short films from UK-based filmmakers prior to the feature film.
Bristol Surf Cinema will be showcasing three films at the Bristol Megascreen – photo: Vey Vey Films
Theo Cockrean, a camera assistant based in Bishopston and self proclaimed ‘surf film nerd,’ couldn’t believe that there didn’t seem to be any organisations merging filmmaking with the sport.
Theo was initially inspired by an event in France called Mountains on Stage, that showcases films all about mountain sports around Europe. The event came to Bristol and attracted around 300 people.
The 26-year-old knew he wanted to recreate the same sense of excitement for surfing, as well as to help elevate UK and perhaps European filmmakers work “to a platform that would have a captive and enthusiastic audience”.
Peering into the lives of those in the film – photo: Vey Vey Films
Theo says: “The surf community as a whole centres around anyone who enjoys wave riding in any form.”
He adds that the UK gets “some incredible surf”, but that isn’t really highlighted much as it tends to be in the wintertime, meaning brutally cold temperatures, on top of not being able to see what’s underneath you in the water, unlike in surfing spots across warmer climates.
But he explains this lends itself to “this kinship around the idea that you have to brave the elements or especially in somewhere like Bristol, you may have to travel a little bit further”.
“I think it unites us because there is some degree of having to go out of your way to commit to it and dedicate yourself to it.”
Theo Cockrean at The Wave – photo: Rob Saunders
Surf On, Europe! weaves together many of the issues that Theo wants to see highlighted in the event.
The film follows the story of three surfers navigating the challenges of European society: a Moroccan kitesurfer facing visa restrictions, a French surfer breaking gender norms in the LGBTQ+ surf scene and a Northern Irish surfboard builder seeking stability in the wake of Brexit.
Through their journeys, surfing becomes a universal language of freedom, identity and resilience.
He explains: “There are certain images of surfing we get regularly projected at us, and there’s lots of people who are excluded from that.
“As much as surfing and surfers are brilliant and there’s lots of great things that exist, like The Wave’s Sister Sessions, for example. But there are still things that need to be addressed as is portrayed in this documentary.
“It’s an interesting way to look at some wider social issues as well as how they integrate with surfing.”
He highlights another striking issue of being paid for word. One of the filmmakers told him it had been “the first time he’s been paid to screen his film”.
Surf On, Europe! will premiere on April 29 at Bristol Megascreen. Links to the event can be found here.
Main photo: Vey Vey Films
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