Douglas Burke’s Surfer: Teen Confronts Fear is a moving story of resilience and courage set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The beautiful cinematography alone makes this film worth the watch. This father/son film collaboration is a beautiful exploration of intergenerational relationships and the power of the human spirit to overcome trauma and begin life anew. Rife with Biblical references and faith-based themes, the purpose of fear is to find your faith, this film will inspire anyone who has ever felt chained to their trauma to face their fears and free themselves once and for all.
The film follows the life of Sage, (played by Sage Burke) a once-promising young surfer whose dreams are shattered during a surfing accident which leaves him emotionally scarred and terrified to go back to the water. Haunted by memories of the intense fear he felt during and immediately after the accident, he is unable to go back to surfing, although deep in his soul, he longs to. Day after day, as he struggles between his longing to go into the water, and his devastating memories of the accident, he battles his inner demons and strives to return to his previous life. That is, until an unexpected visitor enters his life and changes it forever.
At its heart, Surfer: Teen Confronts Fear is a testament to the power of fatherly love and the importance of facing our fears. As Sage gets to know his long-lost father (played by Douglas Burke), he is comforted by his encouraging words and gradually develops the strength to revisit his trauma. Later in the film, it is Sage’s turn to be there for his father, and as one of his friends tells him – you have to surf for your Dad. These moments are crafted with care, capturing both the beauty of the surfing world and the inner turmoil of both Sage and Doug. Sage and Doug are both impacted by each other, and the result is a heart warming nod to the love between a father and son.
Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes, with stunning cinematography that captures the raw power of the ocean and the grace of Sage riding the waves. The combined work of cinematographers Tom Badoud, Emma Clark, Chris Waring, and Jon Aust result in a visual masterpiece that will speak to the ocean lover in all of us. Although the soundtrack (also scored by Douglas Burke) felt a bit overpowering at times, and some of the dialogue a bit too “on the nose”, the intimate moments between Sage and his father as they navigate their relationship are compelling enough to help the audience overlook these flaws.
Thematically, the film delves into universal themes of fear and loss. It navigates complex emotions with honesty and authenticity, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own lives and challenges. While the story is rooted in the world of surfing, its message resonates far beyond, making it a film that speaks to anyone who has faced obstacles and found the courage to overcome them. Tonally, there did seem to be a sort of inconsistency throughout. We start in a very “real-world” environment, but that is quickly interrupted with the arrival of his father and his frequent references to the spirit world. The flashback scenes, references to Sage’s childhood, also felt unnecessary to the story.
Douglas Burke has crafted a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally compelling, leaving a reminder for all of us that no matter how big our fears are, we all have the power to overcome them.
