THE LONGEST WAVE Film Review – Loneliness of the Long-Distance Surfer

That’s why it’s surprising that just a few minutes later, we find him living alone in his surf shack, estranged from his wife and family, struggling with an unnamed business challenge, and nursing a serious injury that may keep him out of the water for almost a year. How could such an impressive athlete have fallen so far?

Life is like surfing

The film doesn’t have all the answers, but it does offer an exhilarating and introspective journey as Naish tries to make his comeback. We travel to the shores of Namibia, Germany, Peru, and other exotic destinations, witness some epicsurfing, and meet many of the great watermen --and in this case they are all men-- of this era.

And why should viewers care about an aging super athlete forced to confront the demons he’s been running from all his life? Perhaps, as one fellow waterman says, to paraphrase, life is a lot like surfing. We may all need to learn how to keep paddling.

Whether Naish is overdue for redemption after a lifetime of pursuing his goals is for the viewer to decide. In the meantime, we can learn from his journey, and, as he has, enjoy the ride.

Directed by Joe Berlinger

Cast:

Robby Naish, Gerry Lopez, Laird Hamilton, NaniNaish, Robert Richman

For more information please visit Radical Media Website

About Author:

Ryan Davis (@indieartsvoice) is a film publicist and communications professional with over ten years experience in the film industry and arts marketing. She is co-founder and Principal at Smarthouse Creative. Named by Media Inc. as one of Washington State's most influential women in film, TV, and media, Ryan has worked with outlets ranging from CNN and The New York Times, to community newspapers and local radio. She has worked in almost every aspect of the film business--from production and festivals to distribution, exhibition and sales.

Ryan worked for Arab Film Distribution/Typecast Films where she was part of the production and release of the Academy Award-nominated Iraq in Fragments. She has worked for a variety of nonprofit arts groups and organizations, including heading the marketing departments for Northwest Film Forum and Northwest Folklife, and was the assistant director of Couch Fest Films from 2010-2014. Ryan was on the jury for the International Documentary Challenge for 2012-3, and a juror for the 2015 Seattle Shorts Festival. Ryan currently sits on the board of The Grand Cinema in Tacoma, WA.