Bondi Tsunami

[Mulboyne]

Bondi Tsunami Web Site

"Bondi Tsunami is the first Japanese surfing road movie in Australia and was inspired by the Japanese surfing sub culture in Australia"

[kurohinge1]

BONDI TSUNAMI

Japanese actor of low-budget movie "Bondi Tsunami" Taki Abe (L) explains the movie plot to Junko Shimai from Osaka during a promotional stop at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

The film, the first Japanese surfing road movie made in Australia, tells the story of four Japanese surfers taking a road trip up the east coast of Australia. The feature is described as a cross between Kabuki and MTV.

SMH Story: Roll the Credit

... Bondi Tsunami was financed by American Express. And Visa. And Virgin, Citibank, the Commonwealth Bank and various MasterCards. The makers of the film used a dozen credit cards to finance the road movie at a cost of more than $150,000 ...

... They are driving a campervan and the EK Holden that features in their film from town to town, setting up their leased digital projector in the local cinema then selling T-shirts, posters and CDs after the show to slowly claw back their debt of more than $150,000. If the film succeeds in Japan after it premieres at the Aichi World Expo next year, they just might make money from what has turned into a family venture ...

Mods, please add my post to Mulboyne's thread

[kurohinge1]

Mods, please add my post to Mulboyne's thread

[Marvin Feltcher]

[Ketou]

Nice looking FB.
I used to have an FJ but sold it when I came over here.

[Marvin Feltcher]

I remember when I was a kid my (much) older sister used to have an EH. On cold Melbourne mornings, she used to send me out to start it up so it'd be warm enough for her to drive.
I reckon the little cutie from Bondi Tsunami rubbing her lovely little thighs on my bonnet would probably it warmer than any Holden engine, though.

[Crambo]

Is he eating a Chico Roll in that picture?

[Marvin Feltcher]

Looks more like a fried dim sim to me.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

A dim sim that long? Chicko roll or one of those deep fried corn things. The rounded end is very non-spring roll.

[Marvin Feltcher]

I still reckon it's a dimmy. Look at the way he's holding it...He's only really using his index finger and thumb. And he is Japanese, so it may look bigger if he's only a little bloke....
....No, I've just had a really close look. After pulling out the magnifying glass, Cranbo and Ol Dirty Gaijin are right.
There's the distinctive round end and the bottom of the bag is actually sticking out from the bottom of his hand. That white wrapper is an instant giveaway, too.
OK, fellas, my wrong. It's a chiko roll.

[kurohinge1]

I'm planning to see the movie Sunday, at the Orpheum, so I'll try and work out the answer to the big question - "dim sim" or "chiko roll". (BTW my money is on "chiko roll", mainly because of the face he's pulling.)

If I can't work it out from the movie, they actually have a "Q & A" session after the Sunday showing and, if I'm in a cheeky mood and things are a bit slow, maybe I should ask them.

[American Oyaji]

Is a chiko roll what we see in the picture, or is it a euphamism for something else?

By the way, my favorite part of the trailer was,

"Can I.....SMOKE?

And the next frame had the car FULL of smoke. That cracked me up BAD.

[Marvin Feltcher]

Is a chiko roll what we see in the picture, or is it a euphamism for something else?

AO, it's probably both. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised to hear a Chiko Roll described as absolutely anything. I don't think anybody really knows for sure exactly what it is.
Actually, the Chiko Roll is a fine example of an Australian culinary delicacy, the first bite of which is guaranteed to remind the eater that we draw our cultural roots from Britain, that well-known purveyor of fine foods.
All you need to know about the Chiko Roll can be found at http://www.upfromaustralia.com/chikoroll.html
* Although this site does say the Chiko Roll is being exported to Japan, I've never seen one here.

[Crambo]

When I used it, I just meant the fish & chip shop kind of Chiko Roll :P

Nice link above, I just read through it quickly and found this.

...featuring a leggy blonde with an abundance of cleavage sitting on a Harley-Davidson with her hand strategically placed in front of her crutch. After receiving several complaints from the public, this poster has been withdrawn.

Those things are still in many shops, next to the mandatory fish and crab charts, none of which they sell :P

[Mulboyne]

Mods, please add my post to Mulboyne's thread

Better links than my post, kurohinge1sama. Thanks. Give us a review when you check it out!

[Taro Toporific]

I reckon the little cutie from Bondi Tsunami rubbing her lovely little thighs on my bonnet would probably it warmer than any Holden engine, though.

OMGWTFBBQ! That turquoise gaywagon has got tail FINS!

[kurohinge1]

... Give us a review when you check it out!

Thanks Mulboyne-sama.

Four of us saw the flick on Sunday at the Cremorne Orpheum - 2 Japanese, 1 English and 1 Aussie. Everyone seemed to like it and probably me the most. It's due to show in Japan next year, as an earlier post says.

It's not like a Hollywood formula flick and the writer/director's background as a music video-clip-maker dominates. It's like a feature-length music video with a bit of dialogue here and there and some fun moments along the way, as well as some well-blended manga transitions. The music and images are great, so it's easy to watch. If you go with an open mind, I'd bet that most will be pleasantly entertained.

Personally, as I'd done a few surfaris with mates in the same or similar places (many moons ago), it brought back fond memories - dodgy caravan parks, surfing with mates, eating out of milk bars, and when the only suit you wore was a wet one.

Also, as I dabble in video making, I was very interested in the magic you can now make happen in the bedroom ... editing a DV movie on a home computer, that is. For those FG's interested in the specs (and there's more than a few of you making your own stuff), I managed to corner the writer/director (Rachael) for a few questions:

They used Final Cut Pro 3 & 4. It was shot on DV and projected on a leased digital projector - the quality was as good as anything else you'll see in a cinema.

Of the $150,000 spent to make it, approximately $70,000 was spent on music rights (for the music they didn't make themselves - which was great too).

I hope it does well. And I hope you guys go along to see it.

BTW the answer to the big question is: IT WAS A CHIKO ROLL
The funniest part was that Rachael had actually read this thread on FG and was already aware of the great debate !!!

Good luck Rachael-san.


BTW don't ask me what he's doing to that kangaroo

[mr. sparkle]

Also, as I dabble in video making, I was very interested in the magic you can now make happen in the bedroom ... editing a DV movie on a home computer, that is. For those FG's interested in the specs (and there's more than a few of you making your own stuff), I managed to corner the writer/director (Rachael) for a few questions:

They used Final Cut Pro 3 & 4. It was shot on DV and projected on a leased digital projector - the quality was as good as anything else you'll see in a cinema.

That's fantastic news. It just goes to show you that there are ways to make and show a good DV Film and even find an audience. Making DVDs is another way to get your DV feature to a dedicated audience.

As much as you enjoyed the film, it seems that anyone that had the gumption could do the same - if the story is good enough. As you well know, "It's all about the writing baby".

[Mulboyne]

The funniest part was that Rachael had actually read this thread on FG and was already aware of the great debate !!!

That's hilarious.

Glad to hear it's a decent film. You always wonder whether a good idea will go all the way. Interesting to speculate how it will play in Japan. "Lost in Translation" did fairly poor business given its status as Oscar winner and non-US box office receipts of $75 million. This film's theme could play better so, if they can get even minor distribution in Tokyo and word-of-mouth among the surfing crowd, they should be able to recoup a bit more of the cost

[kiamchi]

[kimiko]

There is always some ignorant film student wanker, who can't get there own shit off the ground who bags a film like Bondi Tsunami. The director of Bondi Tsunami has clearly stated in the press that the film is a music video motion picture- a modern version of a musical that is a series of comic strips stuck together more than a traditional western narrative. If you have any clue at all about Japan you will know that `style is substance' in Japanese culture and that Japanese that I know who have seen it say it is brilliant for this reason. Every one knows that the film is a different genre, thats why its popular. According to your observetions, the director has achieved exactly what she set out to do, find a link between the zen concept of void or emptiness and music video genre. So whats wrong with you- can't you cope with a different formula to making a movie?
Anyway if your such a fucking genius why aren't you telling us about your own feature film. Its amazing how many arrogant film students heads are so far stuck up their own arses that they don't actually get around to ever making a feature themselves - at least the $15 you spent on your ticket gave you something to talk and think about - a reason to be on this site huh, because you obviously haven't got any original ideas of your own!? Do they teach you how to think for your self at your cushy institution or haven't you reached that part in the text book yet? It's ignorant clones like you, that are so consumed in academia that wonder why you can't get anywhere. wait to you get out honey....with an attitude like that you'll be doing time in the hospitality industry before you know it! Happy waitering!

[Mulboyne]

Kyodo via Yahoo: Creating a wave: surfer-inspired movie Bondi Tsunami prepares to storm Japan
Filmed entirely "guerilla-style" on a digital camera, and with music and graphics at the centre of the film, Bondi Tsunami has been described as "Kabuki meets MTV, meets the Wizard of Oz, meets Monkey Magic."...However, the film's aim is not to stereotype. In fact, Bondi Tsunami has received backing from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade due to its positive portrayal of Japanese in Australia. Commissioner-General for Australia, Andrew Todd, praises Lucas' direction. "In contrast to many international filmmakers who show little understanding of Japanese attitudes or culture - resulting in stereotype images of Japanese in Western films - Rachael is typical of a generation of young Australians who have grown up with a natural connection to Japan."...After taking the film to the arts-based London-Australia film festival at London's Barbican Centre in early March, it is clear that Lucas-Smith is targeting an audience more art-house than Hollywood. "In the future it will become one of those collectables and people will say 'have you got that Bondi Tsunami?' and they'll put it on and be able to skip to their favorite part... you can't do that with Titanic," Lucas-Smith said, dreaming of the "cult-classic" status he would love his film to achieve.

Bondi Tsunami premieres in Japan at the World Expo 2005 in Aichi Prefecture on April 9.

[GomiGirl]

Screening again this friday night at Super Deluxe in Roppongi. (August 26th from 7pm)

See Bondi Tsunami Site

I recommend this movie but also the Super Deluxe screenings - they are a heap of fun.

Sure the second half of the film is a bit long winded but for an indie I thought it was exceptional and covered a Japanese surfers in Australia - what is not to like about that?

Plus I hope to see the makers do well as it was a labour of blood, sweat and tears. To all your naysayers out there - where is your creative contributions so we can cut them down in flames?

[American Oyaji]

I REALLY want to see this film.

[GomiGirl]

I REALLY want to see this film.

Check the site as the DVD may be available soon.

[GomiGirl]

[Mulboyne]

This is old but, since we have the thread:

[American Oyaji]

I've been meaning to order this movie.