Partly shot in Raglan 20 years ago, Surf Film AI. Tearoa recently premiered at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre to packed houses.
If you missed the screenings in March, make sure to secure tickets for an encore screening on Saturday, May 17 at 5pm.
The encore version features additional stories and appearances by former Surfing New Zealand head Greg Townsend (GT) and his off-sider Steve Ria, as they share their insights about the historical surfing Vodafone Surf Sessions event. There will also be current surfing footage of East Coast Gizzy surfers Maz Quinn and Bobby Hansen.
Originally shot in 2005 the film documents the inaugural Vodafone Surf Sessions where international superstars of the waves Andy Irons, Mark Occhilupo, Sunny Garcia and Joel Parkinson took on Kiwi surf legends Maz Quinn, Morehu Roberts, Bobby Hansen and Daniel (DK) Kereopa.
It was the first time a New Zealand team had challenged a world side of this magnitude on home seas.
Although the competition was hosted at Piha, the film captures the spirit of the powhiri held at Poihaakena Marae and the Whāingaroa mana whenua who opened their arms to the surfers.
“Sunny Garcia and Andy Irons were absolutely blown away by what they experienced at Poihaakena Marae. You can see it on their faces – it was spine tingling,” director Redeye says.
As well as DK competing in the event, his brother Aaron carved the trophy depicting Tāwhirimātea (Māori god of the elements) and their father, the late Piripi Kereopa, and mother Rangi Kereopa played an integral role in welcoming the surfers (and in raising very talented children).
In the making of AI. Tearoa, Redeye has set out to beautifully capture the excitement of the event, the personas of the different characters and the whanaungatanga (relationships and kinship) of Raglan, Whāingaroa.
The AI in the film’s name refers to the Kauai Hawaiian born three-time world title-winning professional surfer Andy Irons who died in 2010.
Booking essential for Saturday, May 17 encore screening at www.raglanmovies.nz.
