Thousands of community members and film enthusiasts crowded Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park for the premiere of a new 60-minute film featuring John John Florence and other surfers as they ride some of the world’s most iconic waves. The film titled “View From a Blue Moon” was showcased on Nov. 11 on the North Shore.
Most surfers don’t have to worry about being blown off of a wave by helicopter rotor wash or avoid lines of cameramen in the water while surfing, but for the past three years, it has been an occupational hazard for Oahu’s John John Florence.
“There are people who go and surf these waves for enjoyment, and then there are people who revolve their life around it and revolutionize the entire sport. That is John John,” said Becky Armstrong, a resident of Haleiwa who attended the premiere.
Segments of the film were filmed all around the world as Florence took his team on surfing excursions in Hawaii, Tahiti, South Africa, and Australia. Close-ups of Florence barreling waves and swimming underwater were captured in 4K resolution, according to Sports Illustrated.
“The footage is incredible. It will inspire people to go out and do what they love, as it has also inspired me,” said Kinsey McElhaney, a sophomore from California studying biomedical science. Segments of the film were shot in remote locations selected by Florence and his team, which were only accessible by vehicles suited for rugged terrain.
The films says Florence caught his first wave on Pipeline when he was just 8 years old. He first competed in the Triple Crown at the age of 13 and took home the title when he was 19, and again at the age of 21.
As part of his biography in the movie, Florence said he surfs for about 10 hours a day, from sunrise to dusk. He has managed to incorporate the ocean into every aspect of his life. When he’s not in the water, he’s watching footage of himself surfing, analyzing every one of his moves.
Attention to detail and technique has earned him the top spot in the SURFER Poll Awards last December when he overtook Kelly Slater’s 10-year reign. “I’m super stoked that John got this,” Slater said on stage during the awards ceremony last year. “It’s the happiest I’ve ever been getting second place.”
Florence has been known among other surfers like Slater for having his own style and getting the most out of every wave that comes his way.
Kenneth Davis, a surf enthusiast from California who flew to Oahu to attend the premiere, said, “I wasn’t expecting it to be better. I already arrived here knowing that it would be a high caliber film.I felt like I was part of the experience because the footage was in-depth and simply breathtaking.”
According to Surfline.com, the making of the film cost $1.5 million, which makes it one of the most expensive non-Hollywood films of its kind ever produced. Production required the use of six helicopters in different locations, and according to the same website, Florence broke around 70 surfboards while attempting some of the world’s largest breaks.
Florence personally attended and hosted the event, and several community members and fans were able to get signed autographs and pictures with him before and after the showing. Florence wanted the event to be as inclusive as possible.
He said the premiere was his way of giving back to the community that had already given so much to him. Premieres were also held in locations around the world in Paris, Japan, Australia, South Africa, and California.