It’s been 20 years in the making but the historical surf film AI. Tearoa is sure to hit all the right waves.
Partly shot in Raglan, AI. Tearoa is premiering at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre on Saturday 15 March and Sunday 16 March at 7.30pm.
The film explores the inaugural Vodafone Surf Sessions in 2005 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 actual competition was hosted at Piha, the film starts with the surfers taking part in a powhiri (welcome ceremony) at Poihaakena Marae the day before the event.
Director Redeye says the film captures the spirit of the powhiri and the Whāingaroa mana whenua who opened their arms to the surfers, in an eye-opening and sound moving experience for the international contingent.
“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,” he 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).
And while there was a bit of surfing action at Raglan it was more for fun and the chance to share a few waves than compete.
“They went over to the Points but it actually was nearly flat. We needed Tāwhirimātea to conjure up the ocean. Thankfully the next day Piha delivered with some surf.”
The timing for the release of the movie coincides with the launch of the Indigenous Surfing Trust, a donation-based initiative which aims to support up-and-coming Pasifika surfers. Currently the trust is working with three Fijian surfers.
“We kicked off the Indigenous surfing concept in Fiji about two years ago with some of the bros from Kulu Kulu village. While I was working on the Chong Sue Fijian Surf feature, I thought – Hey, let’s have a look at this AI 16-mm film footage which had been hiding under the stairs in a chilly bin for around 14 years,” Redeye laughs.
“I started editing it in July last year and something happened with this movie; it just started to fall into place very quickly. And, I was like – wow, compared to the Fijian film this creation is just flowing.”
Redeye recently returned to Raglan to shoot some more footage and reconnect with the Kereopa whānau.
“I learnt about the power of the mountain from Rangi, so we captured some shots of Karioi for the movie. We’ve really tried to embrace the indigenous aspect and culture that Raglan was founded on.”
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.
“I really wanted to pay respect and say thank you to the tangata whenua of Whāingaroa for sharing their world class waves with local and international surfers since the early 1960s.”
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.
“Andy was such a huge influence on surfers around the world and here in Aotearoa; we made this film to pay homage to him, and showcase a historical day in New Zealand’s surfing.”
Despite the dodgy weather on the day of the actual competition at Piha, around 15,000 spectators came to watch the New Zealand surfers take on the world.
“They had to close the roads from Auckland city to Piha as the West Coast beach transformed into a surfing amphitheatre, and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey had to hitchhike down Piha hill to give a speech,” he says.
And while the Kiwi surfers didn’t take out the title, the competition was hard-fought.
“There was a point when New Zealand was leading, and then Andy blew the crowd away with this huge front side air and scored a 9.8 out of 10, which our camera guy Kent captured.”
Thanks to all local musicians who complemented this film with amazing soundtracks by Dubwize, Pitch Black, Kora, Dame Kiri, Patea Māori Club and 4D Recording. Special thanks to all the surfers, Surfing New Zealand, Billabong, J.S Surfboards, Piha Life Saving Club, Poihaakena Marae, the Kereopa whānau, Whāingaroa community, Paulo Pablo and Colour Space, and the Indigenous Surfing Trust – www.indigenoussurfing.com .
Booking essential at www.raglanmovies.nz – see inside for dates. Film screens Saturday, March 15 and the red-carpet premiere on Sunday, March 16 at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre. Limited seats, bookings online at www.raglanartscentre.co.nz.
