NINE LIVES GALERY this week plays host to an unusual film. One that exposes a “surf/party underworld, away from idealistic locations and groomed surf pornography”, and explores “the fragmented world of a surf culture through the blurred eyes of a few” ... RAVE chats to JOHNNY ABEGG, one half of the experiment called “___”

RAVE: So, how do you say the name of this film?

JOHNNY ABEGG: You cant. It doesn’t have a name. We called it an expression as we didn’t have a premise for it and it was an experiment. The film has been left to be interpreted by the viewer. “___”

R: So it’s called “___”?

JA: Yep, you fill in the gap.

R: Sounds strange.

JA: The film was never meant to make any sense. Media these days makes too much sense.

R: Why would you make a film that makes no sense?

JA: Well, my partner in crime Matthew Yeates and I were sick of seeing surfing glamourised; shot in idealistic locations with the best surfers. So we went for the opposite: bad waves, average surfing, a disjointed formula, with a realistic/raw approach to the surfing culture that we were living in at the time.

R: Explain this ‘surfing culture’?

JA: At the time we were partying, taking a lot of drugs, surfing and living quite a fragmented existence. Hence the absence of a film title “___”, and a movie that reflects our blurred state of affairs at that point in our lives.

R: So there’s a lot of substance abuse?

JA: Yeah, there is a bit. But again “___” is a raw look at our surfing culture at the time, and we would rather show something for what it is, rather than blind people from things like most media does these days.

R: How will people interpret the film in your eyes?

JA: I’m expecting mixed feedback, as we purposely made parts of the movie to annoy people and disjointed it to reflect our state of minds. Some people will think it’s shit, some will think it’s great, so it’s up to you to fill in the “___”

R: So people will just have to watch it for themselves?

JA: If they want. They can make up there up own “___” 

R: Would you consider your film as art?

JA: To me it’s our attempt at doing something different, but it was basically a reflection of the existence we were living at the time. So if that defines “___” as art, then so be it.

R: Who influences you and who do you admire?

JA: My own personal experience is my greatest influence, and I admire those people who just go out there and do things they believe in. Walk first, talk later.

R: What are your long-term intentions for the film?

JA: Speaking for myself (not Matt), I’m happy to let “___” be after we tour it around Australia. This was a stage of my life that I am no longer walking. I’m now working on a very deep and personal film, one I will only mention the title of ... 2 Weeks.

“___” screens at Nine Lives Gallery on Sunday Dec 6 – doors at 6pm, screening from 7.30pm, $5 entry [18+ only]. www.bunnyear.wordpress.com / www.wehaveninelives.com

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