A surf film I directed for Reef a few years back. Just realized I did have the master online, so decided I would post. Such an amazing collaboration with Mark Tesi, the Creative Director that I Directed this alongside. Shot on location in Tahiti, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and Bali, the film was inspired by me sitting digging way too deep into Jaques Cousteau documentaries from the 60's... hence the creative direction and sound sampling.
Directed by: Russell Brownley and Mark Tesi
Cinematography by: Russell Brownley, Chris Bryan, Paul Daniels, Bali Strickland, Nic Mclean
Produced by: Shea Perkins
Edited by: Russell Brownley and Noah Carlson
Color by: Matt Fezz
Music: Grimes, Ty Segal, Big Data, Carryok
Surfers -
Gigi Lucas
Alfred Gainer III
Brendalyn Monroe
Producers -
Amanda Chinchelli
Brian Greer
Gigi Lucas
Russell Brownley
Madison Isbell
Director -
Russell Brownley
Creative Director -
Jeremy Dean
Cinematography -
Dustin Miller
Water Cinematography -
Russell Brownley
Editor -
Zack Winick
Composer -
Jonathan Sanford
Colorist -
Dustin Miller
Sound Mix -
Nick Anello
Inspired by the feature length documentary Dare Not Walk Alone.
Special Thanks -
Brianna Marks Brownley
Mary Brownley
Jim Tranter
Jeremy Dean
All those who risked their lives for freedom
This film is a short story of America—a small offering to face history and ourselves while repairing and reconstructing our shared future.
Dawn, St. Augustine Beach, Florida, we enter the waters alongside Gigi Lucas. Only 56 years earlier, at the exact location, a group of 75 white segregationists attacked 100 African Americans attempting to wade into the "White-only" water. A movement that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
It is with a deep reverence for the bravery of the men, women, and children of the civil rights movement that we watch Gigi revel in this freedom. An experience that at one time, not long enough ago, was deemed unlawful.
A right that, by the laws of nature, belong to everyone. Together, we take responsibility for our universal history. We bear the cold, taste the salt of intolerance, and wade into the waters of change with conviction and compassion.
The prominence of our nations powerful voices of color continue to share their truth, and we are met with opportunity. What will be the story of us; how do we learn it, how do we tell it; how does that lodge in us and shape how we live?
With an intimate understanding, to truly know the hurt of our history is to heal—a marriage of head and heart, and the deep work of humanity. As needful to humans as air and usable as earth.
"Nobody in America can really be free until all of us are free."
May we BE the wave of justice.
To learn more about #diversifying the lineup, visit
surfearnegra.com