Be swept up in this stunning homage to the birth of Aussie surf culture, compiled from over 200 hours of home movies, iconic documentaries and restored 16mm footage.

In the 60s and 70s, when Australian films were beginning to make waves worldwide, a band of filmmakers turned their cameras to the burgeoning counterculture set among the country’s beaches. Whether they were hippies with hair turned bleach-blond or rat-racers seeking to connect with nature, surfing became an integral part of their lives. In turn, the chroniclers were there every step of the way, shooting the sun, surf, sand and the scene that grew around them.

Morning of the Earth, Crystal Voyager and Women of the Surf are just some of the now-famous films produced during this era, and Jolyon Hoff brings them together with a wealth of meticulously restored 16mm footage. This totally radical documentary shares the bold artistic vision of Moonage Daydream (MIFF 2022) in its melding of archive, commentary and music – culminating in a truly experiential sense of a moment in culture – coupled with the influence of local icons Albie Thoms and Tim Winton (the latter appearing here alongside Wayne Lynch, Bob McTavish, Alby Falzon, Evelyn Rich and Maurice Cole). Capped off with a downright killer score from Headland, You Should Have Been Here Yesterday will take audiences on a trip down the Aussie coast of years gone by.

“A loving ode to an era of not just Aussie life, but also Aussie film culture and one that all too often gets ignored by the history books.” – The Film Experience

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Director Jolyon Hoff is a guest of the festival and will be in attendance at the Wednesday 14 and Saturday 17 August Melbourne sessions.