Keep Surfing - DVD

Film: When you think of Munich you probably think of the Hofbräuhaus, mountains, beer and the Wiesn` and hardly of surfing. But that could soon change thanks to the wonderful documentary "Keep Surfing". The film explores the phenomenon of so-called river surfing, which is celebrated in Munich at one place in particular: the Eisbach, the German Mecca of surfing.

Director Björn Richie Lob, himself a passionate river surfer, has accompanied a group of river surfers over a period of five years in Munich, but also during spectacular actions at high tide in France or during a dangerous trip in Canada. He not only shows the big differences between surfing on the sea and river surfing, but also lets the viewer dive deep into the very own world of the surfers from the Eisbach. This group of individualists is for the viewer a very amusing to watch bunch of lovable crazed athletes who live for their passion and give everything.

Such as Walter "The Caretaker" Strasser, who defends the territory around "his wave"with his not always lovable manner and sometimes forbids surf legends like Kelly Slater to ride the Eisbach wave. While Strasser is only remembered by occasional (or one-time) visitors to the Eisbach as the "grumpy local"who keeps getting into it with other river surfers, the film also makes clear the important role "The Caretaker"has taken around the Eisbachwelle.

The images that are offered to the viewer here are sometimes amusing (for example, a river surfer in a dirndl standing on his board drinking a beer), sometimes downright terrifying (for example, when one of the surfers completely disappears in a whirlpool and does not reappear for a long time), but always spectacular. But if you think the film is only for surf freaks, you're wrong. "Keep Surfing" is an exciting, incredibly entertaining, amusing documentary that does one thing in particular: good mood! Absolutely recommendable!

Picture + Sound: For the test was not yet the finished product, which is why about the final image and sound quality at this point can not be given a rating. But since already on the press sample technically a good impression, can also be assumed in the final product of a - for a documentary - good to very good technical implementation.

Extras: The DVD has, in addition to an audio commentary by the director and producers Benjamin Quabeck and Tobias Seibert, just under 16 minutes of interviews and behind the scenes material to offer. Not mind-blowing, but solid.

Conclusion:"Keep Surfing" is a wonderful documentary that not only presents a whole new side of surf culture, but also presents a fascinating portrait of an underground culture of Munich. It's not just the film that makes for a good time, but the apparently good technical realisation and the short but satisfying bonus material. Absolutely recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp