This is a small short film of warning by Nuno Rodrigues and Pedro Sousa in defense of a wave that would disappear due to human intervention, on the west coast of the island of Madeira.
How the project "save Paul do Mar" started?
Nuno Rodrigues: I and Pedro Sousa, both do body board, which is a sport that involves catching waves. For years we go to Paul do Mar to practice this sport. Then came the news in the papers giving an account of the construction of a road that would connect the village to the harbor, this building was going to start into the sea , and would most likely damage the wave, by which we are here. Both did photo and decided to make a video that shows the potential of wave and thus people could become aware of what we had. There are many who are not aware of the reality of surfing. And this way it was possible to show the potential and beauty that exists on the island. I do not know, nor Peter, if this was the case, but we liked to think that this film help so the works would not go forward.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in making the film?
NR: Both I and Peter were still green in this area, and I am sure that although he is not present would agree with me. Since the image capture, the realization, production and even in the edition we had new challenges, because surfing is not like other sports, like football that you just get a field players and a ball. In this modality, this is not possible; there are need waves and the sea's boss. We needed good images in Paul do Mar and coming from the Funchal involved cost and often we got here and no one was in the water and it could not be us, because we were shooting there . Regarding the interviews, capturing the audio was also a new experience, but nowadays I still think that we are still very inexperienced.
What was the reaction of people when they showed the movie? Were surprised or not?
NR: Yes, at the time the film was much talked about.
Was controversial.
NR: Yes, it was a hot topic that now cooled. At the time people saw the film and said it would go away, that was the reality. When the news became public, it would be a construction, the film soon appeared and everyone liked it, also because there are not many people making videos in Madeira. Other professionals from outside the island have been to make films.
Do you consider that your film is a documentary?
NR: That's the intention, but that is a short documentary. Does not have a beginning, a middle and an end, i.e., a complete story to tell and then the challenge would have been even greater. But it's something we want to do a documentary about the deep reality of surfing in Madeira.
Even the fact that the subject died.
NR: Possibly, yes.
When you decided to make the video put it online to get the most views and possible reactions?
NR: Also, because at the time there was an online petition to collect as many signatures as possible against the building. The surf community in this aspect becomes very close, if you know that there is a wave in Peru that will be destroyed, we do something, for example. I think it's good for surfers and people to known what they are signing, to know what is happening this video always helps to see where it is, how it is and what it will cease to be.
