Surf Nation

Surf Nation

IN COMPETITION

SURF NATION delves into the lives of young athletes in Hainan, China, training with the National Surf team in pursuit of Olympic dreams. Living in a tropical paradise under the guidance of international coaches, they face the pressure of success and the threat of dismissal. Over two years, the film follows two top surfers, Alex and Lolo, as they navigate training, competitions, and the search for their own identities in a culture that values conformity over individuality.

This film captures the young surfers’ lives as they travel and train across various countries and cities, using mature cinematography to present a full panorama of their experiences. It delicately explores the complexity of human relationships through the details of food - familiar flavours from home serve as the only emotional support the coach can offer to the children training abroad, while a female surfer, having left the team, finds herself entangled in her boyfriend’s so-called food adventures. Despite the multiple protagonists, their personalities and nuances are intricately portrayed through professional storytelling, allowing the audience to empathise with their journey, even from afar. -Qi Wu. Co-lead Curator of Odyssey 2024