A Personal History of the Australian Surf (1981)
- Directed by
- Michael Blakemore
- Genre
- documentary film
- Country
- Australia
- Runtime
- 57 min
- Rating
- 10.0 of 10 from 1 voters
- Elsewhere
- IMDb
The catalogue in 3D
The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.
How it feels
Director Michael Blakemore returns to Sydney and its beaches, recalling his youth in the 1930s and 1940s. He reflects on the history of surfing in Australia and his own path away from his father's wish for him to be a doctor toward a life in theater.
personalreflectivenostalgicslow-pacedintimatemeditativewryearnest
What happens
A Personal History of the Australian Surf: Being the Confessions of a Straight Poofter Is a 1981 autobiographical documentary by Michael Blakemore, who wrote, directed, and starred in it. The film was made on 16mm film and was first screened in the United Kingdom at London's National Film Theater. It was subsequently shown by Channel 4 television. The film is a personal examination of the character & memories of Sydney-born Blakemore, who in real life was a director with a successful career in theatre in the United Kingdom, including a directorship of Britain's National Theatre. The plot revolves around a nostalgic trip home to Sydney and its beaches made by Blakemore, with recollections of his youth and education in the 1930s-1940s, while also reflecting on the history of surfing in Australia. The film also touches on Blakemore's father's ambition for his son to enter the medical profession, whereas Blakemore pursues a life in theatre and film. In creating the project as both director and writer, Blakemore additionally narrates the commentary and also appears in front of the camera, including scenes where he plays his own father. The film was produced by Adams Packer Film Productions, a short-lived company jointly owned by Kerry Packer and Phillip Adams who were close friends at one stage, with Adams credited as one of the film's co-producers. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)
More like this
Sweet Dreamers (1981)
Puberty Blues (1981)
Front Line (1981)
Winter of Our Dreams (1981)
Bread and Dripping (1981)
Morning of the Earth (1971)
Mad Max 2 (1981)
Outbreak of Hostilities (1981)- More like this film, on a shelf you can walk up to.It's the lit case on the top shelf.