UNDER THE SUN and PROTECT OUR WAVES

ABOUT THE FILM: Note this film will be screened as a double feature with 'Protect our waves' by Rich Stewart

Under the Sun is the product of two years of travel, shooting and editing in hopes of conveying my love for the ocean and the coastal lifestyle. From getting all of my 16mm camera equipment stolen twice to waiting endlessly for swells to wrap in from the Pacific this film has been an exercise in patience. But for me, the old saying "good things come to those who wait," has certainly proven true regarding this film. I grew up in Southern California and in my short life I've seen the coastline become increasingly polluted and overcrowded. I hope that this film can serve as a time capsule for Australia's beautiful east coast and perhaps help shift the consciousness of a few within the surfing tribe.

Shot in Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, on the Pacific Shore Australia, Under the sun explores the commercialization of surfing subcultures through two opposing surf towns. While the two locations are geographically close their populations have completely different outlooks on life, and this clash is magnified in their respective surf scenes. 
These opposing forces offer a microcosmic view of the surf industry, and raise fascinating questions facing the surf world in general. With rising populations and dwindling resources where do these two towns go from here? While the industry promotes imagery of pristine waves, coastlines of the world are quickly becoming more crowded and polluted. Where does surfing go from here? Can the industry and culture become sustainable?
"For years the surfing subculture has blazed a rebellious trail with the industry following 
close behind turning scenes and ideas into dollars signs. With swelling crowds and deteriorating water quality surfing is reaching critical mass," explains film maker Cyrus Sutton. "But whether you're a beach bum or a CEO, we're all surfers and in a world were money talks, embracing the surf industry may be the only way to preserve the lifestyles we have grown to love," he adds.
Filmed in 2006 and 2007, the film was finished in April 2008, with Sutton returning from Australia to edit at Ubiquity HQ in Southern California. The lush landscape he had captured provided amazing footage to which Sutton also added mixed media animation. The films features cameos from Dave Rastovich (A Gold Coast/Byron Bay hybrid raised in the competitive surfing arena who opted for the Byron Bay lifestyle in his early twenties), and many other surfers including Rabbit Bartholomew, Nat Young, Beau Young, and Dean Morrison. The film includes an original soundtrack by Ubiquity Recording artist Shawn Lee and also features a guest appearance from the Band of Frequencies (a collective of musicians hailing from Byron Bay), available soon from Ubiquity Records.

Awards

-Winner of best Action Sports Film at the Newport Beach Film Festival 2008
-Winner of best Independent Film at the Huntington Beach Surf Film Fetival 2008
-Nominated for best Documentary and Cinematography Surfer Poll 2008
Web Links

Website

www.underthesunsurfmovie.com

portfolio site

www.cyrussutton.com

SCREENINGS:
26th Feb, Miners and Mechanics Institute, St Agnes Cornwall, from 7pm  SOLD OUT
28th Feb, Solva Memorial Hall, Solva, Pembrokeshire, Wales, from 7pm  SOLD OUT
3rd March, The Roxy Bar and Screen, Borough High St, London, from 7pm  SOLD OUT
7th March, Tynemouth Life Brigade Watch House, Tynemouth, from 7pm  SOLD OUT

19th March, Howies Store, Queens Road, Bristol, from 7pm  TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR

More dates and venues to be announced soon!!