The new surf documentary from the crew at Relentless has just landed. Yet does ‘Lives of the Artists’ live up to its much hyped predecessor, ‘Powers of Three’? Far more than just stunning images of the exquisitely rugged Irish coastline, ‘Powers of Three’ was an epic glorification of the fiercest and most dangerous surf conditions: gnarly waves at virtually glacial temperatures exploding onto enormous cliff-faces. Even more important was the deep bond formed between these monsters of nature and three pioneering UK and Ireland surfers who shied away from the surfing mainstream and documented their extraordinary quest. Such was the quality of the production, that it was with real anticipation and expectation that I approached the latest film.

Immediately we are in for a surprise. Instead of opening with the three surfers we are already well acquainted with, we actually start with a new addition to the crew, and he is not even a surfer, but a snowboarder. Instead of a documentary focusing solely on surfing, it works as a triumvirate elevating surfing, snowboarding and punk rock to the realm of artistry. In order to achieve this ambitious aim, we switch regularly between the tale of Xavier de la Rue (snowboarder); Tom Lowe, Fergal Smith and Mickey Smith (surfers) and ‘Gallows’ (the punk rock band). What conceptually is a different and intriguing idea for the surf genre did not initially captivate me as much as I had hoped. Perhaps the problem was that since each individual had such a compelling story to tell, we naturally want to learn more before the focus switches to another element. As an example Xavier de la Rue (which would really be better as ‘Xavier de la Montagne’) provides a fleeting glance of what a deeply thoughtful and interesting man he is when reflecting on his conflict between the aesthetic and the technical, the emotional and the rational. Yet the film quickly changes tack. Onto the surfers, and it may not be impossible that if we watched ‘Powers of Three’ we may feel a slight tinge of disappointment. Instead of them further pushing down the surfing boundaries of what is still a relatively unexplored Ireland, they leave behind the slack summer waves in search of the well-trodden – but nonetheless spectacular – path to the almost mythical wave at Teahupoo. Nonetheless, this move to warmer climes is far less striking than the decision to follow their tale with that of ‘Gallows’. Indeed, irrespective of musical taste we may initially question exactly why the band is so unique as to merit their place among this miniature pantheon of young greats. They continually tell us that they are different, that they have ‘a point to get across’, a ‘message’ and ‘things to say’. Yet what are these things?

Ultimately, we need not worry. The three disparate strands all come together at the end to form a cohesive whole. Xavier de la Rue’s closing statements about his love of the mountain – and the sea – put him comfortably at one with the surfers. The punks also proclaim the wonders of a simple life. Their message? Simply a rejection of the mainstream. Voltaire defined a philosopher by a long series of negations: he is not a prophet, not inspired by God, not a rule-maker. ‘Gallows’ have a similar distrust of constructions, thriving by breaking down the rules in search of something deeper. The surfers are equally challenging of the status quo. As they sit in the circus-like crowds of Teahupoo they proclaim the virtues of pushing one’s limits, adventure, isolation and hostility. Each group shares these core values to a certain extent. A more linear presentation of the three strands would have failed to capture this bond and an important concept that is omnipresent in the film: soul. If, as Xavier de la Rue claims, a mountain has ‘soul’, then certainly so does this film.

To watch the full version of ‘Lives of the Artists’, follow this link: http://www.relentlessenergy.com/films/view/lives-of-the-artists

For just a taster, try the trailer: