Bondi screening of Searching for Michael Peterson

The world premiere tour of Searching for Michael Peterson will screen on the East Coast until April 5.

The Avoca, Palm Beach, Manly and Bondi screenings will include footage from two classic surf films unseen for 30 years, Ocean Rhythms and Dogs Run Free, and music by Tim Gaze and Peter Howe.

Directed by Jolyon Hoff, the docudrama tells the moving story of one of Australia’s greatest surfers whose career was cut short by mental illness. For five years “MP” led the Coolangatta Kids and won virtually every event he contested, including three Bells Beach Pros back to back. His brilliant, aggressive surfing provided the centrepiece for Albert Falzon’s Morning of the Earth in 1972. His final tour victory, at the inaugural Stubbies Pro at Burleigh Heads in 1977, is regarded as the high point of the early professional era. A year later Michael’s demons claimed him.

In 1983 he was locked up after a 15-car police chase across Queensland and he was finally diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He never surfed again.

Thirty years on, MP is regarded as an iconic figure of Australian surfing. Hoff’s film, while it pulls no punches, is a moving tribute to the man.

The appearance at the Sydney shows of Peter Howe and Tim Gaze celebrates the release of Howe’s new album, Postcards from the Coast, a musical celebration of a year spent sailing along the Queensland coast. Gaze, formerly of Tamam Shud, is one of Australia’s guitar virtuosos.

Searching for Michael Peterson will screen at the Bondi Beach Bowling Club, Barracluff Park Warners Avenue, North Bondi at 7pm on Friday, April 3.  Tickets: $21.50

For information go to searchingformichaelpeterson.com.au

Tickets available at http://www.stickytickets.com.au/searchingformichaelpeterson/view.aspx