Binnsie

The Neverland crowd, all eyes glued to the screen. Pic Will H-S

Last night saw the Queensland premiere of Somewhere Near Tapachula, the heart wrenching doco that’s winning awards at film festivals across the country. Made by the same lads who produced the whacky Surfing 50 States, Jonno Durrant and Stefan Hunt, SNT tells the tale of Mision Mexico, an orphanage run in the deep south of Mexico by two heart-of-gold Aussies, Pam and Alan Skuse. Along with the couple’s endless love and selfless devotion in the face of immeasurable hardship, Mision Mexico introduces kids to the power of the ocean, using surfing as a hook.


Damien & Charlotte Hobgood supporting a worthy cause. Pic Will H-S

Despite many of the orphans coming from unspeakably horrible backgrounds they find faith and hope and realise that dreams can come true under the caring eye of Pam and Alan - Mum and Dad. One of the main players in the film, Moacir Zeledon, was the star of last night’s premiere. Despite his troubled past Moacir has grown into an intelligent, surf-loving teenager, and even made it from Mision Mexico to university. He is now in Australia on an exchange at the Gold Coast’s Southern Cross University and was more than happy to answer questions on stage after the showing of the movie. “It’s a bummer I’m a goofy footer here,” he laughed, “I have to surf D-Bah a lot.”


The downstairs crown even braved the sticky, alcohol infused carpet to watch the flick. Pic Will H-S

Somewhere Near Tapachula is compelling viewing and incredibly humbling. Despite the premiere taking place at the generally indie-cool-kid Neverland Bar in Coolangatta, the after party was a sombre affair. “It’d feel wrong to spend fifty bucks on drinks after watching that,” whispered one touched punter on the way out. The movie is continuing on its premiere trail around the country over the next few weeks and ASL can’t urge you strongly enough to go and check it out. Jonno and Stefan are donating all of the money they make to the Mision – “$31,000 so far,” beamed Stef – so check out the dates on the flyer below, get along to a screening and support two awesome young Aussies doing their bit to make a difference.


Stephan Hunt and Jonno Durrant, the men behind this touching tale. Pic Will H-S

Big shout out to Hurley for helping the boys out and pressing the DVDs for ’em, nice one H crew.

We’ve got five copies of the DVD to giveaway. To win one go to the boys’ website http://goodcheer.tumblr.com/ and find out what kind of van they boys are driving around the country in.

Email your answers to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fri Mar 12th - Marist College Ashgrove - Draney Theatre, Brisbane, QLD
$15 Adult/$10 Concession + bf

Sat Mar 13th - SAE Institute Auditorium, Byron Bay, NSW
$15 Adult/$10 Concession + bf

Sun Mar 14th - Heart Of Gold Film Festival, Gympie, QLD
Tickets available soon through www.heartofgold.com.au

Wed Mar 17th - Noosa Festival Of Surfing, Noosa, QLD
Tickets available soon through www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com

Fri Mar 19th - Maryborough Town Hall, Maryborough, QLD
$15 Adult/$10 Concession + bf

Sun Mar 21st - Dubbo RSL Conference Theatrette, Dubbo, NSW
$15 Adult/$10 Concession + bf

Tue Mar 23rd - St. Francis Xavier College Theatre, Canberra, ACT
$15 Adult/$10 Concession + bf

Thu Mar 25th - Mercury Theatre, Adelaide, SA
$20 Adult/$15 Concession + bf

Sat Mar 27th - Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Melbourne, VIC
Buy Tickets NOW http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase $8

Tue Mar 30th - Lecture Room, Monash Uni, Peninsula, Frankston, VIC
$15 Adult/$10 Concession + bf

Thu Apr 1st - Surfworld Auditorium, Torquay, VIC
$15 Adult/$10 Concession + bf

Sat Apr 3rd - Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Melbourne, VIC
Buy Tickets NOW http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase $8


Moacir in the middle with some Aussie mates. Pic CB

Somewhere Near Tapachula Trailer

www.somewhereneartapachula.com