“Chasing The Dream” – The Australian premiere of the much anticipated, award winning and award nominated (Film/Documentary) which closely follows the incredible and unlikely journey of young Indonesian professional surfing sensation, the highly talented, inspirational surfer, and personality “Oney Anwar” – It will be premiering at the “Byron Bay International Film Festival” on Thursday night, March 12th, 2015 at (4:30–6:30 pm). This will be the first stop on its Australian Tour since the films World Premiere Tour, which began in California and Bali, and will continue in Cronulla, NSW.
If a story’s worth telling, it should be told properly… When such a story does come along, it can usually be a subject of such substance it will actually have the power to reach out and touch those beyond the surfing community in which it was initially formed. It will spread beyond that circle, giving people from all ends of the spectrum something to take home and apply to either themselves or their own lives. Something fresh, something different, something inspiring, new and unpredictable… Well Oney’s story is all that, and has it in spades… When such a subject is picked up by two first-time passionate independent filmmakers (Karen Donald and Jason Moon), you know it’s going to be interesting. This documentary starts from when Oney was a typical Indo grommet picking up broken boards left behind by tourists at his beloved and famous wave-rich, yet severely poverty stricken remote village of “Lakey Peak”, which is located on the island of Sumbawa. Oney was thrust into the spotlight and onto the world stage, with his eyes firmly on the prize of potentially being the first Indonesian in history to ever qualify and compete full-time on the WCT (World Championship Tour) which now as of 2015, is the WSL (World Surf League). “Oney Anwar – Chasing the Dream” won Viewer’s Choice Award at Santa Cruz Surf Film Festival in September 2014, and has been a labour of love – taking four years to make between (2010-2014) with a whole team involved in the project. Oney’s major sponsor Rip Curl backed the project wholeheartedly, of course. Rip Curl co-founder Doug “Claw” Warbrick spotted Oney around the age of 12 in Bali, bringing him to the Gold Coast Australia, and has nurtured his talent and growth ever since. This film is Producer/Writer, Karen Donald’s brainchild. She and Director Jason Moon wanted to make a film that really showed how surfing can change lives, and how one kid from a poor village can beat all the odds. The films contributors number many, including London-based Co producer Marc Senior, and Editor Kam Parmar from “End Films”.
To buy or view the film, go to www.garageentertainment.com.au Or just get your butt along to one of the premieres, and enjoy this film on the big screen.
Australian Premier, Chasing the Dream, Byron Community Centre, Byron Bay.
Thursday March 12th
Tickets: $12 at the door. 4.30pm session.
