A 42 year old debate that still rages across the Pacific has been re-ignited with the release of the Australian feature film Going Vertical. Will one of the surfing world’s biggest questions finally be answered? Which country is really responsible for the shortboard revolution?
At the centre of this debate are two men, now in their ‘60s: Bob McTavish and American Dick Brewer. Which of these men was truly responsible for kicking off this surfing revolution during the tumultuous 1967 ‘summer of love’ that turned the sport around the world, literally, upside down?
Was the pioneer, as legend has it, Dick, who lead the way to shortboard commercialism in the United States, or was it the brainchild of Bob and a few of his mates such as Nat Young and George Greenough?
Over the last four decades, dozens of books, movies and magazine articles have presented differing views of this most important moment in surfing history. Did Australia lead the way? Is the claim true? Not according to a groundswell of opinion that’s erupted recently in the United States, reigniting the debate.
Filmed in Australia, Hawaii and California, and featuring extraordinary archival footage of surf legends of the past four decades as well as the hottest surfers of today, GOING VERTICAL, for the first time, tells both sides of this compelling and fascinating story.
GOING VERTICAL is narrated by ex Le-Ba member Simon Baker, produced by Robert Raymond (Schindler’s List, Somebody’s Sweetheart, Lust in the Dust) and directed by one of Australia’s best-known and highly regarded film-makers, two-time Academy-Award nominee David Bradbury (Frontline, The Battle for Byron, Public Enemy Number One, Chile: Hasta Cuando).
Set to a powerful 5.1 surround soundtrack including new surf music sensation The Break (featuring members of Midnight Oil and Violent Femmes), plus tracks by Pearl Jam, Powderfinger, Spoon and Boards of Canada and iconic artists from the summer of love including Manfred Man, Russell Morris and Thunderclap Newman, GOING VERTICAL is the story of a pivotal era of our time, of a revolution and the outrageous characters who made it happen.
Going vertical screens at Ballina Fair Cinema SATURDAY 17TH APRIL 5.45PM, SUNDAY 18TH APRIL 5.45PM
Going Vertical website click here
